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KONEAD VALLENEOD; 



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FROM THE 



PRUSSIAN, AND LITHUANIAN ANNALS: 



TRANSLATED FROM THE POLISH 



OF 



ADAM MICKIEWICZ, 



By H. CATTLEY. 



Tictriz cama Diis placuit, sed victa Catoni. 



Ah ! iB there here but one who dares to own 
A Litran soul !— come hither, and sit down 
With me beside a nation's funeral bier. 
With me to muse, to sing, to shed a tear. 



LONDON : 
SMITH, ELDER AND CO. CORNHILL. 

1841. 



jO 




r 



LONDON : 
PRINTCD BT STEWART AND MURRAY, 
OLD BAILBT. 



NOTICE BY THE TRANSLATOR- 



The means which the English public possess of 
knowing anything about the modern literature of 
Poland are very limited. 

The Slavonic languages are something strange 
to us ; while the Gothic, of which the German is 
now the most important representative, is allied to 
our own. 

Of late, however, and especially since the keen 
interest excited by the political struggle of 1830, 
a portion of the public curiosity has passed over 
the favourite field, Germany, and settled upon 
Poland, and there has appeared a growing dispo- 

A 2 



IV NOTICE BY THE TRANSLATOIU 

sition to search into this new store-house of con- 
temporary literature. 

To this some admirable articles in the Foreign 
Quarterly Review, have greatly contributed, where 
portions of the Poem "Dziady" have been given 
with great accuracy and spirit, together with a few 
passages from our present subject Konrad Vallen- 
rod. It remains to be seen what amount of 
treasure the new researches are likely to discover. 
In the meantime the Poles have not been idle, nor 
wanting towards us, for all the most admired of 
Lord Byron's works have been translated into 
Polish ; and, in these labours, we may add to the 
name of Mickiewicz, those of Odyniec and Os- 
trowski. Nor should we, in this place, omit to 
make known, that the Poles share, with the Ger- 
mans, their full appreciation of the beauties of 
our Shakspeare, of whose entire works there are, 
at this moment, in progress, two translations into 
Polish. 

These facts alone seem to call for a return, on 
our part, of greater amount than has yet been 



NOTICE BY THE TRANSLATOR. V 

made, and may form an excuse for those whom 
chance has led into the field, if they are induced 
to hazard something in the cause. 

In this spirit the present publication is given ; 
with what success, and how far entitled, under the 
circumstances, to be looked upon with indulgence, 
is left to the judgment and decision of the 
public. 

It is probable that in Poland, and particularly 
in Lithuania, the events of which our story 
treats may be matter of familiar knowledge, or, 
at least, as well known there, as the principal 
events of English history are to us ; but, to the 
English reader, who is not before-hand provided 
with such preliminary information, it must be 
confessed, the development of our story may be 
rather obscure. There are, moreover, some ex- 
pressions of extreme simplicity, and figures bor- 
rowed from the habits of life of those primitive 
times, or from peculiar habits and circumstances, 
existing even at the present day, which might 
seem to present proper matter for elucidation. 



▼1 NOTICE BT THE TRANSLATOB. 

But, in this slight attempt to interest the public 
in a novel subject, it has been thought sufficient, 
to confine the explanatory remarks to a simple 
translation of the preface and notes of the origi- 
nal, which are here given entire, and it is hoped 
that with the assistance of these, the story may 
be sufficiently understood to be found interesting. 

Something, perhaps, may be added to its ap- 
pearance of reality, by the recollection that the 
names recorded in our tale, are those of places 
and localities still existing. 

The small River Vilija, and the town of Kiej- 
dany, are laid down in our modem maps under 
those names. On the former, Vilna, the capital 
of Lithuania, is situated, and Kiejdany may be 
found a short distance to the north of the con- 
fluence of the Vilija with the Niemen. 

Kovno also exists, and if our guide-book tra- 
vellers would deviate from their beaten track, they 
might still tread its " lovely valley ;" and even 
now, the traveller, bent perhaps on other schemes, 
when he crosses the Vistula on the high road at 



KOTICE BY TH£l TRANSLATOIU VU 

Marienwerder, may, if he has read our tale, 
listen, perchance, with greater interest than the 
present writer did twenty years since, when the 
postilion pointed through the shades of evening 
to some distant towers, and pronounced the word, 
Marienburg. 

It would be useless to say more than what has 
already been urged as an apology for the present 
translation, which must stand upon its own merits, 
and suffer the penalty, whatever that may be, of 
its own defects. We may notice only, by way of 
explanation, that the word Litva, which is found 
throughout the narrative, is from the Polish, and 
is adopted in preference to the modem inconve- 
nient and lengthy designation, Lithuania. 

We have already thought it right to intimate to 
our English readers, whom we could not suppose 
to be all well acquainted with Poland, that Adam 
Mickiewicz is a living author ; and, we may add, 
that he is a great favourite with his countrymen, 
who seem to have adopted the sentiments of 
patriotic devotion recorded in this poem, as pecu- 



• 



YIU NOTICE BY THE TRANSLATOB. 

liarly characteristic of their own feelings. And 
this is remarkable ; for the first edition of Konrad 
was published at St, Petersburg, where Mickie- 
wicz at one time resided. 

It might be expected, perhaps, that we should, 
in this notice, give some further particulars of 
our poet's history, which would, indeed, present 
abundant matter of interest ; but the events of his 
life, or of that of any living author, could hardly 
be entered upon, with propriety, by the pen of a 
stranger. Neither is there any necessity for it in 
this case, because a memoir of Mickiewicz has 
already been presented to the English public, in 
the Athenaeum, (No. 561, July, 1838,) from the 
able pen of his countryman, Stanislas Kozmian. 

It is sufficient to notice here, that his literary 
attainments have at last found their due reward : 
he has received the appointment of Professor of 
Slavonic literature in the University of Paris. 

We occasionally find incidental reference to 
this Lithuanian war, in English authors. Hume 
(quoting Walsingham, page 343,) represents 



NOTICE BT THE TRANSLATOR. IX 

Henry Duke of Lancaster, in 1399? as having just 
returned from fighting against those unfortunate 
pagans ; and, we may imagine, that to take part 
in that expedition was considered an element of 
the fashionable education of those days ; as it 
was, about the time of Louis XIV., " to trail a 
pike "* on some rampart in Flanders. 

Our great northern novelist also, seems to 
have considered, that the events of which our 
Poem treats, must have continued to interest the 
times that succeeded them, for he represents the 
unfortunate Mary Queen of Scotts,f while a pri- 
soner in Loch Leven Castle, as delighting in the 
Chronicle " La Mer des* histoires" — which, he 
states, treats of this war. 

We may further notice the account which 
another modern authorj gives of these trans- 
actions, connecting the war with the history of 
the religious sect of the Flagellants, and quoting 

* Evelyn's Memoirs, vol. i. page 1 2. 
t See " The Abbot." 

i The Rev. Geo. Waddington — History of the Church, 
p. 505. 



X NOTICE BY THE TRANSLATOR. 

his authorities. He says, — " It appears that in 
the year 1351, a number of those pitiable enthu- 
siasts were collected in Lithuania, in the exer- 
cise of their absurd practices. 

"Pope Clement VI. proclaimed a holy war. 
The Master of the Teutonic Order marched in 
person against them; and after a solemn fast, 
and public prayer, that God I would aid him, in 
the extirpation of his enemies, for the glory of 
his holy name, he assaulted them, and massacred 
eight thousand ; the remainder, about two thou- 
sand more, were carried away captives into Prus- 
sia, that they might be restored by a second bap- 
tism to the bosom of tlTe Church." 

But we may suspect, that among those eight 
thousand victims, were many innocent Lithu- 
anians, for whose slaughter, ample vengeance, as 
our tale relates, was afterwards taken upon the 
Teutonic Order. 



PREFACE. 



The Lithuanian nation, composed of the races 
of Lithuanian, Prussian, and Letts, small in 
number, established upon a territory neither of 
great extent nor very fertile, was unknown to 
Europe until about the thirteenth century, when, 
by the incursions of its neighbours, it was pro- 
voked to more active operations. When the 
Prussians* were sinking under the arms of the 
Teutons, Lithuania, issuing from her forests and 
morasses, devastated with fire and sword the sur- 
rounding countries, and soon became formidable 
in the north. 

The annals still do not sufficiently explain, by 
what means a nation so weak, and for a long time 
doing homage to foreign dominion, suddenly be- 
came able to defend itself, and to menace all its 

* Prussia was at that time composed only of that small 
district marked Prttssiay in the maps of Poland. 



Xn PREFACE. 

enemies; on one side carrying on a continued 
and murderous war with the Teutonic Order; 
on the other plundering Poland, levying contri- 
butions about Novogorod, and extending itself to 
the shores of the Volga, and the peninsula of the 
Krimea. 

The most brilliant epoch of Lithuania occurred 
in the times of Olgerd and Vitold, whose power 
extended from the Baltic to the Black sea ; but 
so great a dominion, rising too suddenly, was not 
able to effect within itself that internal strength 
necessary to give union and vigour to its several 
parts. The liithuanian nationality, extended over 
lands too widely spread, lost its peculiar charac- 
ter. The Lithuanians enslaved many Russ* 
tribes and entered into political relations with 
Poland. The Slavonians, long since Christian, 
had attained a higher stage of civilization, and 
although threatened or assailed by Lithuania, yet 

* By Russ, is here meant the districts called White Russia, 
and Red Russia, provinces of Poland. Russia was at that 
time called Muscovy. 



PREFACE. Xlll 



by gradual influence, recovered their moral supe- 
riority over a powerful, but barbarous oppressor, 
and, as in the case of the Chinese and their Tar- 
tar assailants, the invaders became, as it were, 
swallowed up in the nation they invaded. 

The Jagiellons, and their more powerful vas- 
sals became Poles. Many Lithuanian princes 
upon Russ territory, adopted the Russ religion, 
language and nationality ; by this means the 
great Dukedom of Lithuania ceased to be Lithu- 
anian, and the proper nation of Lithuania found 
itself reduced within its former boundaries: its 
tongue ceased to be the language of the court 
and of the nobles, and was preserved only among 
the people. Lithuania presented the singular 
spectacle of a people who vanished in the great- 
ness of their own conquests ; as a stream, after a 
great overflowing, sinks, and runs in a narrower 
channel than before. 

Already several centuries have passed over the 
events here mentioned : From the scene of politi- 
cal existence has disappeared both Lithuania and 

3 



XIV PREFACE. 



her most cruel enemy the Teutonic Order. The 
relations of the neighbouring countries have en- 
tirely changed : the interests and passions which 
lighted up that war are extinguished, and even 
popular tradition has not preserved their memory. 
Lithuania is now altogether a thing of the passed. 
In this respect her annals present a favourable 
subject for poetry, in as much as the poet, cele- 
brating the events of those times, is occupied 
with matter purely historical — with studying his 
subject in a way to give it the form of art, with- 
out being obliged, in order to support its inter- 
est, to appeal to the passions or habits of his 
readers.* 

It is precisely such objects which we are directed 
to select by the Poet Schiller. 

^' Was unsterblich im Gesang soil leben. 
Muss im Leben untergehen." 

" Things must no more to life belong 
Ere they immortal live in song." 



^ Mickiewicz had doubtless good reasons, which it is not 
necessary for us to enquire into, for thus disclaiming the inten- 
tion of addressing any sentiment contained in this Poem to 
modem times. — Note by the Translator. 



CONTENTS. 



^^^^^^^^^^^f^^^^ ^ ^^^0^^^^0^^^^^ 



The Introduction 


Page 
3 


The Election . 


9 


The Banquet . 


. 51 


The War 


. 115 


The Adieu . 


. 131 


Notes 


. 153 



THE INTRODUCTION. 



THE INTRODUCTION. 



A HUNDRED years since the dread Order — 
The Teutons — crossed the Northern border. 
Deep in Pagan blood to wade : 
Each Prussian son his neck has laid 
Beneath the yoke ; or, with his life 
Alone, has fled the hopeless strife : 
And now the German tracks his path^ 
Towards Litva's* bounds with chains or death. 



The Niemen stream with friendly flow. 
Parts Litva from the coming foe. 
Here many a glittering temple's height 
Adorns the land; each sacred site. 
Deep 'mid the shade of murmuring woods, 
That shroud the dwelling of their Gods. 

* Lithuania. 
B 2 



4 INTRODUCTION. 

There, to the wondering Pagan's eyes, 
With brow half buried in the skies. 
Fixed on a hill, the Cross divine. 
Of German power the threatening sign. 
Seems grasping Litva's outspread plain. 
Within its new mysterious reign. 

Here Litva's youthful warriors stand. 
Their shoulders bear the bow ; their hand 
l^e ready darts ; the leopard's hide 
Supplies their helm ; the bear's rough side 
Their coat of mail: they line the shore. 
The foe's dark import to explore. 
And there, in helm and armour bound. 
The mounted German keeps his ground. 
All motionless ; his eager sight 
Fixed on the opposing rampart's height; 
A matchlock rude, and rosary, share 
By turns his thoughts and heedful care. 

Both watch the passage : So, no more 
May Niemen glory as of yore. 



INTRODUCTION.. 

The boast of peace and friendly ties^ 
Uniting both her boundaries ; 
For now she flows a stream of death. 
To all who cross her watery path ; 
And chains await them, or the grave, 
Who the forbidden waters brave. 
Only that Litva's hop-plant throws. 
Towards where the Prussian poplar grows. 
Her twining arms, and, kindly stayed. 
By water-plant and willow's aid. 
Springs with her garland's graceful bands. 
To meet her love, who bending stands 
Beyond the river's hostile bound. 
Only the nightingale's sweet sound. 
From Kovno's woods, bears notes of love 
Unchanged, to where his brethren rove. 
On the Zapushchian hill ; or borne 
On Freedom's wings, invites return 
Of Friendship, on that common isle. 
Where lingering peace yet seems to smile. 

And men? — the fiercest wars divide ; 
Prussia and Litva, once allied. 



6 INTRODUCTION. 

Now banish to forgetfulness 

Their ancient love : but love will press 

Fond hearts together. — Two I've known. 

Oh Niemen I shortly rushing on 

Across thy waters^ ranks shall pour^ 
That death and fire sweep before ; 
And from thy shore respected long. 
The garlands green, so wildly hung. 
The axe shall tear ; the horrid jar 
Of cannon's thunder echoing far. 
Shall scare the nightingale away. 
All that kind nature would essay. 
In her fair golden chain to bind, — 
All this, the hate of human kind. 
Of man to man, shall burst in twain ; 
But lovers' hearts uxiite again. 
In the Yajdelote's'*^ undying strain. 



* The ancient bards of lithaania were so callied. 






THE ELECTION. 



J 



THE ELECTION. 



From Marienburg's high tower, resound 
The pealing bells; while echoing round. 
The cannon's roar proclaims afar. 
Mingling with the drum's rude jar, 
'Tis the Teutonic festal day. 
From every side, in long array, 
The knights approach their chapter seat ; 
There, in solemn circle met, 
(The Holy Ghost invoked their guide) 
The assembled council shall decide 
Who on his breast the cross may wear. 
Who in his hand the sword may bear. 



XO THE ELECTION. 

Great symbols of the Master's power : 
More days than one saw the long hour 
Of grave debate : for, men renowned 
Alone were in that circle found : 
All equally of lineage high, 
All claiming merit equally ; 
But, by consent of all, the name 
Of Vallenrod, best known to fame. 

Though stranger yet on Prussia's strand. 
His glory filled each distant land ; 
Whether o'er Castile's hills he traced 
The flying Moor, or on the waste 
Of waters sought the Ottoman, 
First in the fight his arm led on : 
The first to scale the hostile wall ; 
First, on the Pagan prow to &11 : 
In tournament, no sooner seen. 
When, by his vizor raised, that mien 
So known and dreaded met the eye. 
Than every knight all silently 
Shrunk back, for none the strife would dare, 
When Eonrad claimed the wreath to bear. 



THS ELECTION. 11 

But not on valour's field alone, 
His early years in glory shone 
Mid the Teutonic ranks ; he knew 
The Christian virtues' empire too, — 
Stem poverty, and modesty; 
And, earthly things passed heedless by. 

Konrad ne'er learnt, with flattering tongue. 
The anti-chamber crowd among. 
To smooth the well-turned compliment ; 
Nor yet for sordid lucre, lent 
His arms, to serve the feudal strife 
Of angry barons : his young life. 
By vain allurements unsubdued. 
Had passed in cloistered solitude ; 
Nor could that noblest recompense. 
And grateftd most to mortal sense. 
The minstrel's hymn, and beauty's smile. 
His frozen spirit e'er b^uile. 
Indifferent to the voice of praise. 
At distance only used to gaze 
On the soft cheek ; his steps would stray. 
Alike, from fair discourse away. 



12 THE ELECTION. 

Whether from Nature's hand, he took 
The frozen soul and haughty look. 
Or time had stamped them, who could say ? 
For e*en in his yet youthful day, 
The haggard cheek, and hoary hair. 
Showed years of suflFering printed there. 
But moments came, when, with the young. 
He deigned to share their joys among; 
And e'en to woman's accents sweet 
Would listen, nor disdained to greet 
A courtly phrase with due reply ; 
And scatter, though his vacant eye 
Gleamed cold the while, to fair ones round, 
A thousand words of playful sound. 

Rare moments of forgetfulness ; 
For lo I some word, that could express 
No moving sound to others, came 
Swift to his heart with breath of flame ; 
The name of country, duty, love. 
The crusades, Litva ; these could prove 
A poison quick, to the gay mood 
That seemed to rise on Vallenrod. 



THE ELECTION. 13 

Then instant turned his face away. 

And that stem look resumed its sway, 

Indi£Perent to all things around ; 

Again his thoughts communion found 

In mystery deep ; as musing there. 

On such his sacred high career. 

Himself the penance would impose. 

To spurn the pleasures Earth bestows. 

Friendship, — his only solace known, 

A friend, — he knew but one alone, 

Halban, a monk aged and hoar ; 

Sacred the office which he bore. 

But honoured for his virtues more ; 

He Vallenrod's seclusion shared. 

Alone his soul's confessions heard ; 

Alone did Vallenrod impart 

To him, the secrets of his heart : 

Friendship how blessed, most blessed on earth, 

When heavenly feelings give it birth. 

Thus seemed to th' assembled knights, the name 
Of Konrad, chief regard to claim. 



14 THE ELECTION. 

Yet, guilty with one fault he proved : 
Konrad no worldly follies loved ; 
Konrad no drunken orgies shared ; 
But, in his cell's secluded ward. 
When weariness his spirit pressed. 
Or sad remembrance wrung his breast. 
He sought his troubled soul to quell. 
By the red goblet's treacherous spell. 
A change then o'er his features broke. 
That face severe and pale, then took 
A flush of feverish crimson hue ; 
And those eyes, once of ample blue ; 
Where years had now their dimness cast. 
Glowed with the fire of days long past. 
His breast then uttered plaintive sighs, 
The softened tear bedewed his eyes, 
His hand would seek the lute, his tongue 
In strains unknown poured forth the song, 
Unknown, but not less formed to impart 
Deep meaning to the hearer's heart. 
Enough — such tomb-like tones to hear, 
Enough — to mark the singer's air: 



THE ELECTION. 15 

Upon his face the traces lie 
Of deepest searching memory ; 
The arching brow, the straining gaze 
Bent earthwards, as intent to raise 
Some mystery from the depths below : 
Whence may that song's strange accents flow ? 
Doubtless, in thought his youth he traced. 

Through the abyss where sleeps the past ; 
Where is his soul ? — ^in memory's land. 

But ne'er could music's charm command 
A tone of gladness from his hand. 
The faintest smile he seemed to fear 
As mortal sin,-— each chord you hear. 
By turns, beneath his fingers sound. 
Except the chord where joy is found ; 
All feelings may the listener share, 
Except that hope is banished there. 

At times the brethren, too, have seen 
That frenzied air, and altered mein. 



16 THE ELECTION. 

As chance uncalled has led them there. 
And marvelled much such strains to hear ; 
Then Konrad roused, with angry gaze 
Throws down his harp ; quickly he stays 
His song, while loud his lips are heard. 
To utter forth some impious word. 

Something in Halban's secret ear 

He whispers ; dreams of armies near. 

Issues command, or seems to throw. 

Fierce menace to some unseen foe. 

The brothers half in terror wait. 

Old Halban there meantime has sat. 

His gaze, intent with mystery. 

Deep plunged in Konrad's roving eye ; 

A piercing look, cold and severe ; 

Yet some deep eloquence is there : 

Summons he memory ? — or perchance 

Counsels he something ? — or that glance. 

Has it some sudden fear aroused, 

Within the breast of Vallenrod ? 

Instant, his gloomy brow is clear, 

1 



THE ELECTION. 17 

His eyes' quick fires no more appear. 

Calm and indifferent is bis air. 

Thus, at the circus' festal state, 

When dames, and lords, and knights are met ; 

The lion's guardian stands prepared. 

To loose him from his chamber barred; 

The trumpet gives the sigh before ; 

The royal beast, with horrid roar 

From his deep throat, spreads sudden fear 

Amid the crowd. One only there. 

The keeper, views him undismayed ; 

His hands across his breast are laid, 

But with the eye, he gives a blow 

That lays the savage nature low. 

Great talisman of the immortal mind. 

That thus irrational brute force can bind. 



18 THE ELECTION. 



11. 



From Marienburg's high tower, the sound 
Of pealing bells still echoes round. 
N0W9 from council chamber passed. 
The knightly circle comes at last 
Within the chapeL There, with the Prior, 
The knights and chaplains crowd the choir. 
The vesper prayers their mute devotions claim. 
And to the Holy Ghost they chaunt the solemn 
hymn. 



HYMN. 

Spirit, Light divine, 
Dove of Sion I 
This day, the christian world to own. 

Upon the earthly subjects of thy throne, 
Deign with thy presence visible to shine. 



THE ELECTION. 19 

O'er Sion's brethren now thy wings extend : 
The Heavens rend 
With rays of light : 
And his head, who, in thy sight 
Most worthy seems. 
Let thy bright beams 
Joy-shedding, with a golden garland crown. 
We, sons of men, then bowing down. 
Will fall before the face of him, 
On whom shall beam. 
Radiant with light, thy sheltering wings. 
Son our Saviour ; 
By the all-powerful motionings 
Of thy sovereign hand, 
Say, who of these 
Most worthy is. 
Marked with thy passion's sacred sign to stand ; 
With St. Peter's sword, who shall command 
The armies of thy faith, 
And to the eyes 
Of Pagan enemies, 



c 2 



20 THE ELECTION. 

The standard of thy kingdom wide display : 
And may each son of man bow heart and head^ 
Before him from whose breast the cross shall shed^ 
As from 9 star, its sacred ray. 

The service ended, respite brief 
Is granted by the Prior chief: 
But, when reposed, they must repair 
Again within the choir, in prayer 
To ask, that God would deign to light 
The mind of chaplain, brother, knight. 
For the election's sacred right. 

Their spirits seek repose and ease. 
In the refreshing midnight breeze. 
Some in the terrace gallery sit. 
Others the castle boundary quit. 
And through the varied garden stray. 
'Twas a silent night of balmy May ; 
Afar just gleamed the rising day. 
The moon, in wandering journey driven 
Across the sapphire plain of Heaven, 



THE ELECTION. 21 

Her eye in varied changes seen^ 
As now a dark^ now silvery screen 
Of cloud obscured her ; just had laid 
Her silent solitary head : 
So when in some sweet solitude^ 
The lover has in thought reviewed. 
As tracing all life's circle o'er. 
His hopes, his joys, his sufferings there ; 
Now tears he sheds, now gladness finds. 
At length, upon his breast inclines 
His weary head, he forward bends. 
And dreamy lethargy his musing ends . 

Thus do the knights the time beguile : 
The Arch-Prior no moment wastes the while. 
But Halban, and other chief brothers there. 
He calls apart, — thence they repair 
Far firom the curious crowd, to give 
Their counsel, and his will receive. 
The castle left, he gains the plain ; 
There long discoursing they remain. 
Heedless of path or guiding way. 
Till chance conducts where open lay 



22 THE ELECTION. 

The peaceful lake's extended shore. 
Now rising mom warns them once more 
To seek the city : — but, — they stand, — 
Some voice, — whence floats it o'er the strand ? 
'Tis from that corner tower, — again 
Intent they seek to catch the strain, — 
"I^is she 1 — 'tis the recluse they hear. 

Within that tower, the tenth long year. 
Still dwells a pious maid unknown ; 
From some far land she came alone. 
To find St. Mary's city there. 
Whether 'twas Heaven inspired her 
With that sad purpose, or the pain 
Of sullied conscience' secret stain 
Urged peace, by penance, to attain ; 
She sought that solitary gloom. 
And found in life a living tomb. 

Long time the priests refused assent. 
But to her prayers at length relent. 
Conquered by their imploring power. 
And grant the asylum of the tower. 



THE ELECTION. 23 

Scarce she the sacred threshold passed. 
When, at the entrance door, they cast 
Of stones and earth a cumbrous load. 
That close her to her thoughts and God : 
And those stem doors that bar her way 
From living men, at the last day, 
Angels alone shall tear away. 

At a small grated window there. 
At times some food, a mea^e fare. 
The pious passing people lay. 
There too the breeze and rays of day 
Kind Heaven supplies : poor suflTerer ! 
And has this world so pained thine eyes. 
And wearied thy young soul, that now, 
Thou fear'st the sun and smiling skies ? 
For, at that window, since the hour 
When first she chose her burial tower. 
No eye has seen her form appear. 
To bathe her lips in the sweet air. 
Or gaze upon that prospect fair. 
The splendour of the serene heavens ; 



24 THE ELECTION. 

Or, on the earthly plain around. 
Where grateful flowers adorn the ground. 
Or, hundred times more dear, to find 
The cheering looks of kindred kind. 

Only 'tis known that she lives on. 
For, oft a voice with softest tone. 
Has made some holy pilgrim stay 
A moment on his nightly way. 
While wandering there his path along ; 
Doubtless some fragment of pious song : 
And when from Prussian hamlets near. 
At evening-tide assembled there. 
The children round the neighbouring wood 
Are sporting, — there they oft have stood. 
To mark some white and shining gleam 
Within that window, — as might seem 
Aurora's early morning beam : 
Or, is it a lock of her amber hair. 
Or her snowy hand that glistens there. 
Blessing those heads so innocent? 
Thither his steps the prior bent. 
And heard these words from the tower sent. 



(( 



(f 



ii 



ti 



(( 



THE ELECTION. 25 

'^Konrad I — Oh God 1 their doom is come, 
" Thou shalt be master, to consume 
** Their hated strength, and lay them low ; 
" But can they fail thy traits to know ; 
In vain to hide : though, like the snake, 
'Twere thine a changed form to take. 
Still in thy soul unchanged would be 
Thyself, — for, such e'en rests in me : 
After thy burial shouldst thou rise, 
"Thee, still would Teutons recognize." 

The voice the listening brothers hear, 
And gazing towards that window, there 
The form of the recluse they see : 
Forward she bends, and earnestly 
Her stretching arms point towards the ground. 
To whom ? — ^'tis desert all around. 
Only firom far there strikes a beam. 
Such as from glittering helm might gleam. 
And o'er the earth a shade of white, — 
Is it the mantle of some knight ? 



26 THE ELECTION. 

Now it is gone; — doubtless it shone 

But in the eye's illusion ; 

'Twas but AurcMra's blushing ray. 

As mists of night give place to opening day. 

^^ Brothers," said Halban, ^^ thanks be given 
To Heaven ! for the decree of Heaven 
Has surely hither been our guide ; 
Those words prophetic shall decide 
The Chapter's choice, did you not hear 
The name of Konrad strike the ear ; 
Konrad, — the name of him renowned, 
(Whose fame in every land is found), 
Of Vallenrod, — here let us stand, 
Brother to Brother pledge the hand 

And knightly word, — to-morrow, he 
Alone, shall our Grand-Master be." 

They go with cries, and far along 
The vale, their voices bear the song 
Of joy and triumph; — Let him live, 
Konrad, the Grand-Master live. 



THE ELECTION. 27 

■ 

The Order live to latest day, 
Be Paganism swept away ! 

Halban, in thought profound remains ; 
With deep contempt he hears those strains 
From the rejoicing crowd ; his eye 
Is cast towards that tower's sad mystery. 
And turning thence, his path along. 
Some tones he murmured thus in song : 



THE SONG. 

Vilija, mother of our streamlets. 

With thy bed of gold^ and aspect blue. 

The Litvan maid who draws thy crystal water 

Has heart more pure, and cheek more fair than you. 

Vilija, through Kovno's lovely valley, 

'Mid flowers of tulip and narcissus flows. 

Our Youth's best flower, bows to the Litvan maiden, 

Blooming more fair than tulip or than rose. 



28 THE ELECTION. 

Vilija despises the valley's flowers, 
But seeks the Niemen, well beloved, to find, 
The Litvan maid in her own land grows weary. 
For on a foreign youth is fixed her mind. 

The Niemen in its powerfiil arms. 
Bears to the rocks and to the ocean wide. 
His loved one, pressed upon his wintry breast, 
And both together perish in the tide. 

And thee, a stranger too, has carried. 
From thy home valley, Litvan maid forlorn. 
And thou 'mid waves of dark oblivion sinking, — 
But, sadder still, — must all alone be borne. 

To the heart and the stream are useless warnings, 
JThe maiden still loves on, and Vilija's stream will 

flow, 
Vilija disappears 'mid her loved Niemen 's waters. 
The maiden in gloomy tower sinks into years of 

woel 



1 



THE ELECTION. 29 



III. 



When the master with lip the book had pressed. 

Where their sacred laws recorded rest. 

The prayer had ended, and in his hand. 

The symbols of his high command, 

The sword and cross, the Prior had laid: — 

He raised his head with pride ; — ^yet weighed 

A cloud of sadness on his brow ; 

Some mystery he may not avow 

Glanced in that look, whose lowering shewed, 

'Twas joy, half mixed with rage that glowed. 

And o'er his face there passed the while, 

That guest so rarely seen, — a smile ; 

But fitful, like the lurid ray 

That transient parts the cloud of morn ; 

A herald of the rising day. 

An omen of the coming storm. 



30 THE ELECTION. 

The master's ardour^ his eye of fire, 
With courage and hope their hearts inspire ; 
Combat and booty already rise. 
In vision vain to their eager eyes. 
While fiill of vengeance, a rich flood 
In thought they shed of pagan blood. 
Who shall against such power prevail. 
Nor at his sword his menace quail. 
Tremble, Litvans, the cross divine 
Soon upon Vilna's walls shall shine. 

They hope in vain, — days, weeks are flown, 
A whole long year in peace is gone : 
Litva threatens, but Vallenrod 
Unworthily has still withstood 
The call for war, — will neither go. 
Nor succour send against the foe. 
And if he deign to rouse at last. 
He changes quite the system past, — 
The sacred laws that once were known. 
So says he, to disuse are grown ; 



1 



THE ELECTION. 31 

The holy vows the brothers swore 
Are kept inviolate no more ; 
Be prayer our duty, treasures of earth 
Are nought to us. In virtue's path, 
And peace, alone he glory sees ; 
Fasting and penance he decrees ; 
Forbids all pleasures, will prevent 
Each solace the most innocent. 
Pursues the slightest sin or word, 
With dungeon, exile, or the sword. 

Meantime, the Litvans now no more 
At distance passing, as before, 
Far from the gates, are nightly found. 
To burn the villages around. 
The peasantry unarmed to slay. 
Or, with rude violence, drag away. 
While the scared children of the land 
Upon their parents' threshold stand. 
To hear with dread, instead of scorn. 
The clang of Samogitian horn. 



32 THE ELECTION. 

When was a better time for war ? 
Litva, that inward troubles tear ; 
The unquiet Lach, the intrepid Russ^ 
The Krimean Khans around that press, 
And bear her bravest sons away. 
Vitold, by Jagiellon from his throne 
Cast down, seeks the protecting stay 
Of the great Order, and will own, 
By treasure, and by ceded land. 
The service of the Teuton band ; 
But hitherto he seeks, in vain. 
Some favor for his suit to gain. 

The brothers murmur, the council meets, 
No master there th' assembly greets : 
Old Halban hastens, and searches round. 
But, in castle, in chapel, no Konrad found. 
Where is he ? — doubtless by that old tower, 
His nightly steps the brothers have traced. 
And 'tis known, when darkness 'gins to lower. 
By night's dun shade the world embraced ; 
Forth Konrad goes, and wanders wide 
Along the lake's deserted side. 



THE ELECTIONS. 33 

Or on bent knees is seen to fall^ 

Leaning against that tower wall : 

In mantle wrapped, till morning light: 

Like marble statue to the sight. 

His form gleams from afar, nor fails 

His watching eye, nor sleep assails. 

As the recluse discourse supplies 

In accents low, will Konrad rise 

And whispered response give. No ear. 

From far, the murmur least can hear ; 

But by his shaken helmet's gleam. 

Hands restless, head upraised, 'twould seem 

Too plain, that some discourse is there. 

Which may no common import bear. 



SONQ FROM THE TOWER. 

Who my sighs shall number or my tears ? — 
Have I wept through so many years ? — 
Is it so bitter in my heart, mine eyes. 
That the cold grating rusts beneath my sighs ? 

« 

My falling tears pierce thro' the frigid stone. 
As though 't were the soft heart of pitying man. 



34 THE ELECTION. 

In Sventorog Castle burns the eternal fire. 
Nursed by the pious priests' continued care : 
The spring on Mendog mountain ceaseless flows. 
Fed by the driving storm and winter snows : 
To me, no source suppUes my sighs, my tears. 
And yet my heart, mine eyes, perpetual sorrow 
sears. 



By father's and by mother's love caressed, 
A splendid castle, a rich county blessed 
By nature's smiles : nights tranquil as the day. 
And free firom dreams that scare repose away ; 
Peace such as angels know, by day and night. 
Watched me, like guardian spirit hid from mortal 
sight. 

Three daughters fair we round our mother grew. 
And I the first Love's fatal accents knew. 
Oh I days of youthfiil happiness, how blessed I 
Who waked my soul from that unconscious rest ? 
'Twas thou, fair youth, why did thy words unfold. 
Things, that in Litva's land had yet been left un- 
told. 



THE ELECTION. 35 

Of an Almighty God I of angels bright^ 
Of stone-built cities^ where, 'mid faith's pure light. 
The splendid domes repeat the people's prayer ; 
Where princes bend each maid's commands to hear. 
Valiant as our own native knights in war. 
Tender no less in love, as our young shepherds are* 

Where man, his earthly covering laid aside. 
Soars with his spirit thro' the joyful skies : 
Ah ! I believed, because, within my heart. 
That heavenly life I felt thy words impart. 
Since then, let good or evil lot be given, 
I dream of thee, I dream alone of thee and Heaven. 

I joyed the cross upon thy breast to see, — 
A sign methought of future bliss to me : 
In vain, — when from the cross the thunder flew. 
Darkness and silence closed upon my view ; 
Yet nothing I regret, — tho' left with grief to cope. 
True thou hast taken all, yet thou hast left me hope. 



Hope, with echo low, replied. 
The lake's wild shore, the valley's side ; 



36 THE ELECTION. 

Konrad aroused, horridly smiles. 

Where am I? — who that here beguiles 

With hope ? — and why that song ? — too well 

I of thy happiness could tell. 

At home ye were fair daughters three. 

And Love's regards first fell on thee • • • • 

Woe 1 woe ! ye beauteous flowers. 

Into the garden's joyous bowers, 

A viper horrible has crept, 

And where its gliding breast has swept, 

There dies the grass, the roses fade. 

And its own yellow hues are shed I 

Fly back in thought, and think upon 

Those days, whose course might still have run 

In peace, when .... Art thou silent, — here 

Let thy song curse me, and each tear. 

Whose fearful burning prints the stone. 

Let not its drops be spent in vain ; 

I will unloose this helmet's band. 

Here let them fall, my brow to sear, — 

Here let them fall, for I can bear ! 

I wish to know in time before. 

What waits me on hell's dreadful strand. 



THE ELECTION. 37 

VOICE FROM THE TOWER. 

Oh 1 pardon me, my love, my fault I own, 

But tardy com'st thou to thy loved one lone. 

And weary were the hours to wait for thee. 

Some childish song I suiig, quite thoughtlessly ; 

Forget that song; — for ought I to repine ? — 

'Twas but a fleeting moment thou wast mine ; 

Yet, that one moment, I would not exchange 

With the vast crowd upon the earth's wide range. 

For a still life of tedious quietude. 

Thyself hast told, how men of common mood, 

Slumber ignoble their low life away ; 

Like shell-fish in the slime, that see the day 

Scarce once in the long year, when wintry storms 

Expose to light their miserable forms. 

One sigh, one gasp perchance, tow'rds heaven they 

strain. 
Then back return into their graves again. 
For such low happiness I was not made. 
While yet a life of peacefalness I led. 
In my own land, surrounded by the throng 
Of gay companions; e'en their sports among. 



38 THE ELECTION. 

Some one I languished for, in secret sighed^ 
And felt unquiet gush my heart's quick tide. 
Oft from the country's even plain I fled, 
Till, on the highest hill my footstep staid. 
Ah I said I, would those larks my prayer attend. 
And each from out his wing a plume would lend. 
With them I would depart, and, from this hill. 
One humble flower alone my hand should fill. 
The flower " forget-me-not," — then would I fly 
Above, — above, — and, in that purer sky 
Where clouds obscure no more, — to pass away : 
Thou heard'st me, and on eagle wings hast flown, 
Monarch of birds, to bear me for thine own : 
What have I now from the poor larks to pray. 
Whither to fly, — after what joy to rove. 
Who once have known a mighty God 1 above. 
And a great soul on -earth have found to love. 



KONRAD. 

Greatness 1 — still will my angel dream 
Of greatness ! — greatness I — by whose gleam 
Betrayed, in misery here we groan: 
Some days our hearts must sufler on. 



THE ELECTION. 39 

Some days^ but fe^ nor long to run ; 
Then let it be, — in vain we mourn 
The past, — ^we weep, — but, in return. 
Let the foe dread the coming day. 
For Konrad weeps that he may slay. 
Wherefore, my loved one, didst thou quit 
Those cloistered walls, that calm retreat ? 
I had indeed devoted thee. 
Servant of God alone to be ; 
Was it not better to have staid. 
Within that sanctuary's shade. 
And far from me to weep and die. 
Than in this land of treachery 
And wrong, in a sepulchral tower. 
Such lengthened tortures to endure ; 
To see each day in misery rise 
Upon thy solitary eyes. 
And thro' those bars no timie can wear. 
To beg for aid ; while I must hear. 
Must see thy long-enduring pain, 
Must stand afar, and curse in vain 
My soul, that yet some feeling can retain. 



40 THE ELECTION. 

VOICE FROM THE TOWER. 

If to reproach thou comest, come no more ; 
And though thy lips in earnest prayer implore, 
I will not hear, — ^now I the window close. 
Again to plunge into my sad repose ; 
There, all unseen, my bitter tears to pour : 
Farewell, my only one, for evermore 
Farewell, and perish ever from our mind. 
The hour, when for me thou couldst no pity find. 



KONRAB. 

Then do thou pity shew to me. 
Angel thou art, — and can it be. 
My words to stay thee are in vain ; 
Here, 'gainst this tower I strike my brain. 
And pray by the dying pangs of Cain. 



VOICE. 

Oh I let us then in mutual pity rest ; 
And think, my love, this universe how vast ! 
We, two lone beings, on its ample strand. 
Seem but two dew-drops on a sea of sand : 



THE ELECTION. 41 

The slightest breathy and from this earth we fij^ 

We vanish. — Ah ! together let us die. 

I came not here to cause distress to thee ; 

A holy nun, alas I I could not be, 

I dared not dedicate my heart to Heaven, 

When aU its faith to earthly love was given. 

Willing, within the cloister had I stayed. 

And, of my life a sacred offering made. 

Serving the holy sisters : but, so drear. 

So strange did all things without thee appear. 

Then I remembered, when some years are flown 

Thou to St Mary's City must return. 

Vengeance to take upon the enemy. 

And our poor nation's great defence to be. 

To one who anxious waits, how long each year ; 

It cannot be, I said, he must appear 

Ere long returned ; and was I not then free. 

When living I would to the tomb descend. 

To seek once more to cast mine eyes on thee. 

Or, at thy side, in death my woes to end ? 

Then I will go, I said, and near the road. 

Some solitary cell be my abode. 



42 THE ELECTION. 

Amid the broken rocks^ there will I dwell : 
At times, some knight, as near my secret cell 
He passes, may pronounce the much loved name : 
Perchance, 'mid foreign helms, my eye shall claim 
With joy, his well-known symbol; e'en though 

strange 
The arms he bear, my heart sh^l see no change ; 
E'en though with foreign sign he mark his shield. 
E'en though his face a different aspect yield. 
This heart from far shall mark that form beloved ; 
And, when by call of dreadful duty moved. 
Around him blood and desolation roll, 
Tho' all should curse him, there shall live one soul 
Who still from far shall dare to bless his name ; 
Here then, at last, I chose my cell, my tomb ; 
Here in dread solitude my sighs to pour. 
Safe from the profane passing traveller's ear. 
Thou lov'dst, I knew, in solitude to roam. 
My. fancy pictured, — at some evening's gloom. 
Perchance, in wandering from the hated throng, 
His steps may stray the lake's lone shore along. 
And with the breeze and waves conversing there. 
He '11 think of me, and then my voice he '11 hear. 



THE ELECTION. 43 

Heaven has at length fulfilled my earnest prayer. 
My songy well understood, has reached thine ear : 
Time was, I prayed that sleep's delusive power 
Would yet console me with thy form once more, 
Tho' dumb and vain : — to-day, — what happiness. 
To-day, we weep together ! 



KONBAD. 

. . ... . What now avails to weep ; 

I wept, thou knowest, what time I tore 
Myself from thee for evermore, — 
What time I died to happiness, 
A self-devoted sacrifice. 
My bloody mission to complete. 
Now, when success, secure though late. 
Just crowns my too long martyrdom. 
When to the wished-for goal I come. 
When vengeance o'ier the enemy 
Just hovering waits, thou comest to be 
The spoiler of my victory : 
For since firom out thy sad retreat. 
Again that form these eyes have met, 

2 



44 THE ELECTION. 

Upon the earth's immensity, 

My 'wildered sight alone can see, 

The lake, the tower, the window barred ; 

Around me nought but tumult heard 

Of war; and, 'mid the trumpet's thrill. 

And clang of arms, I seek the while. 

With anxious and impatient ear. 

Only thy angel voice to hear ; 

When day at length brings evening on^ 

In thought the time I would prolong. 

For, by the evening hours alone, 

To me is life's existence known : 

Meantime, my constant long delays 

The Order blames, — for war it prays. 

Asks its own ruin. Halban too 

No rest allows from vengeance due. 

But 'minds me, how I vowed long past. 

Foes slain in heaps, and lands laid waste : 

When his reproach to shun I seek, 

A breath, a sigh, a look, can speak 

From him, to make my soul revive. 

My half-quelled thoughts of vengeance live : 



THE ELECTION. 45 

Now seems my destiny's last hour 
Approaching near ; no efforts more 
Can stay the Teutons from the war. 
News came last night from Rome, afar. 
That, from all sides, each land can yield 
A countless crowd to take the field ; 
On me the host incessant calls. 
With sword and cross towards Vilna's walls 
To lead them on ; and yet, no less. 
With shame this moment I confess. 
Though balancing the fate I see 
Of nations, still I think on thee ; 
I frame delays, that time may give 
Yet one day more with thee to live. 
Oh Youth I how great thy offerings are ! 
Yes I my young days I did not spare. 
But, our dear native land to save, 
Love, joy, and Heaven itself I gave, — 
A mighty sacrifice ; with tears, * 
But courage ; and, when gathering years 
Now find me bending 'neath their load. 
Duty, despair, the will of God ! 



46 THE ELECTION. 

Impel me to the fields yet here, 

With hoary head I scarce can dare. 

From this wall's foot to rend me free. 

And lose perchance yet one sweet word from thee. 

He ceased, and from the tower deep sighs 
Alone are heard, — long silence lies 
Then on the passing hours : Night's shade 
Expanding gradual entrance made 
For morning's ruddy beam, whose glow 
The silent waters caught below. 
'Mid leaves still sleeping on the trees. 
Rustles the early freshening breeze ; 
The birds awake with quiet song, 
And then again are still ; and long 
Their silence keeping, seem to say. 
Too early yet we greet the day. 
Konrad starts up, — he raises high 
His brow towards the tower wall ; his eye 
Long on that gloomy window barred 
Is fixed in grief: — a note is heard, — 
The nightingale,— Konrad looks round. 
Mom breaks upon the rising ground ; 



THE ELECTION. 47 

Quickly his vizor downward slides ; 

His mantle's fold his visage hides ; 

One movement of his hand^ must tell^ 

To the recluse a long farewell : 

He vanished in the woody dell. 

So from the hermit's cell, the evil spirit scared 

Flies when the silver tone of matin bell is heard. 



1 



THE BANQUET. 



E 



61 



THE BANQUET. 



*Ti8 their Patron Saint's great festal day ; 

The knights and brothers crowd the way ; 

'Tis to the capital they haste : 

White banners float on every tower. 

Now is come the banquet hour. 

When Konrad must the knighthood feast 

Floating around the table there, 
A hundred mantles white appear, 
On each the long black cross displayed : 
Such were the Brothers, while at hand 
Young equerries, around that stand. 
Their ready fitting service made. 

E 2 



62 THE BANQUET. 

Konrad, the head^ directs the feast; 
On his right hand in friendship placed^ 
Vitold, beside his warriors, shows, 
No more he joins the Order's foes ; 
But, leagued against his native land. 
Unites him with the Teuton band. 



But ere the guests may pledge the wine, 
The master gives the solemn sign : 

** Rejoice ye in the Lord ! rejoice !" 
The cups then glitter, and the sound, 

" Rejoice ye in the Lord, rejoice !" 
A thousand voices echo round ; 
The silver tankards jingling ring. 
The wine in fountains seems to spring. 

On his arm resting, Vallenrod 
Sat listening, in disdainful mood. 
To the unseemly noise they made. 
Sudden it ceased, and in its stead. 
Scarce broken by a whispered jest. 
The clang of the light goblets passed. 



THE BANQUET. 63 

" Let US rejoice," he said ; " but thus, 
My Brothers, is it fit for us — 
For knights, to celebrate their joy, 
First by a loud and drunken cry. 
Then a low murmur ; so, at best. 
Like brigands first, then monks to feast. 

" Other the customs I have known, 
'Neath Finland woods, — on hills of Spain, — 
When, round our camp fires careless thrown. 
We pledged the wine 'mid heaps of slain. 

" Then there were songs ; but, does this board 
No minstrel — not one bard afford ? 
To glad the heart was wine known long : 
Wine for the mind is found in song." 

Instantly singers numerous rose ; 
A weak Italian first, who chose. 
In strains soft as the nightingale. 
Of Konrad's far renown to tell — 
His piety and valorous deeds : 
Him a young troubadour succeeds ; 



54 THE BANQUET. 

A Strain of shepherd loves he gave — 
Of wandering knights who dangers brave^ 
Maidens from charmed spell to save. 

Vallenrod slumbering sat ; the song 
Had ceased its echo to prolong ; 
When, wakened by the failing sound. 
He rose ; a purse of gold unbound. 
And quickly to the Italian cast. 
'^ Of me, and of no other guest 
You sing the praise," he said, " receive 
The sole reward that I can give, 
And from my eyes depart." — But next, 
The youth whose bending soul is fixed — 
A faithful troubadour, to prove. 
Servant to beauty and to love! 
" Pardon me, youth, that in the round 
Of this our circle, is not found 
One maiden, on thy breast to pose 
A simple flow'ret of the rose. 
All roses wither here, then bring 
Some bard who other song will sing : 



THE BANQUET. 56 

A monk and knight, tbe tones for me. 

Should sound as harsh a harmony, 

As ever broke jfrom clang of horn, 

Or jfrom the clash of weapons borne — 

Gloomy as walls of cloistered solitude : 

Fiery as some lone monk in drunken mood: 

<< For us, who equal mission find 
To slaughter or baptize mankind, 
A song of death may best proclaim 
Our festival ; and be its aim 
To move, then anger raise — then tire 
With wearying tones, till notes of fire 
Again strike terror 'mid the throng : 
Such is our life, such be our song, 
Who such will sing ? who ?" — « I," repUed, 
Quickly, from near the portal wide, 
'Mid equerries and pages there, 
A grey old man ; his garb the air 
Of Litvan or of Prussian showed ; 
Age had its silvery whiteness strewed 
On his thick beard,-— while round his head. 
Some wild grey hairs yet waving strayed ; 






56 THE BANQUET. 

His brow and eyes a veil obscured. 
His face, bj years and suffering seared. 



In his right hand a harp he bore^ 
The ancient Prussian form it wore ; 
The left he towards the table held 
Extended, and, as though compelled, 
The assembly iiistant silence, made : 
^'I sing, but not as once," he said ; 
"Then, 'twas to Prussians I could sing. 
With Litvans joined, — now slumbering 
In earth they lie, — some who had stood 
In battle field to shed their blood. 
For our dear country :— some could scorn 
To live^ and see her body torn 
With dying pangs, but rather chose 
To perish with her parting woes. 
As faithful servants will expire 
Upon their master's ftineral pyre : 
Some seek the woods, base slaves of fear. 
And crouch in silence, others here 
With Vitold now your guests appear. 



THE BANQUET. 57 

" But, after death, Germans, ye know, 
Ask but yourselves, the traitorous crew. 
Infamous in their country's eyes — 
What shall they do, from sleep who rise. 
In fires eternal to consume. 
When they would call their sires upon, 
In Paradise who rest ? — what tongue. 
Their new-adopted sounds among. 
Shall they present, when, anguish-riven. 
They pity seek from sons of Heaven ? 
Will these, in barbarous German guise. 
Their children's language recognise ? 

" Oh 1 children, 'tis to Litva's shame. 
Not one, not one, with succour came. 
When I, old Vajdelote, that day. 
In German chains was dragged away 
From our blest altars ; now, grown old. 
In foreign land, in vain is told 
My charmed song to stranger ears : 
Alas I the singer no one hears : 
Towards Litva's land my straining eyes 
I spend in tears; and, when arise 



58 THE BANQUET. 

The longings for my native home. 
From which side should the breezes come. 
To waft the whispered tokens near, 
I know not; whether here, or there. 
Or from which side they should appear. 

" Here only, in my heart, there rests 
Preserved, all that her sons loved best 
Of their own land, such poor remains 
Of treasures lost my soul retains; 
But take, ye Germans, take jfrom me 
These too, take from me memory. 



" As, at the circus' public strife, 
When conquered, though preserved his life. 
The knight now feels his honour gone. 
Each tedious day drags on alone 
Despised ; then suddenly, once more. 
Returns to find his conqueror. 
Nerves yet again his arm when met. 
To break his weapons at his feet. 



THE BAXaU&T. 59 

" So me, the last desire inspires ; 
My hand shall wake the slumbering wires 
Once more, then from her latest bard, 
Be Litva's dying accents heard." 

He ended, some reply to wait 
From the Grand-Master ;^-silent sat 
The expecting crowd ; with searching gaze. 
And scomM eye, Konrad sarveys 
Each look and movement Vitold made. 

All as they Vitold's face surveyed. 
Marked, when the bard of traitors spoke. 
The sudden change that o^er it broke : 
Livid, — then pale, — then reddening high 
By turns, as tortured equally 
With shame and rage, his i^irit bowed. 
Suddenly, through the astonished crowd. 
His sabre pressed against his side. 
Dispersing them, a passage wide 

He made, towards where the old man sat ; 
Gazed at him, — sudden seemed to wait, — 



60 THE BANQUET. 

Then burst the cloud upon his brow, 
In a full flood of tears to flow : 
Returning, he sat down, his mantle's fold 
Concealed his face, — some mystery untold 
Served long his thoughts in musing deep to hold. 

The Germans whisper, — " Is it fit 

Old beggars to our feast to admit ? — 

Who, when he hears, will understand 

This song ?" — Then passed on every hand 
The scornful jest, till laughter loud 

Ran high throughout the festive crowd ; 

Whistling through hollowed nuts, the pages cry, 

*' Such are the notes of Litvan melody 1" 

Then Konrad rose : " Ye valiant knights. 

The Order, as ye know, invites. 

This day, by ancient custom swayed. 

The homage by the conquered paid ; 

Presents the neighbouring princes give, — 

Such from this city we receive. 

This beggar will his ofiering bring, — 

A song^ — forbid him not to sing : 



--1 



THE BANQUET. 61 

'Tis his sole homage ; let it be 
Like widow's mite of poverty. 

*' Amongst us here the prince we see 
Of Litva^ with his chivalry. 
Guests of the Order; dear to them, 
Memory of former deeds must seem, 
Revived in songs of their own land; 
And those who cannot understand. 
Nor here desire to listen, they 
May hence depart — The gloomy lay, 
Murmur incomprehensible, 
Of Litvan song, I love to feel 
At times, low falling on the ear ; 
Just as with pleasure I can hear 
The noise of roaring waves, or still 
Can sit, to hear spring showers fall : 
They lull to slumber. — Sing, old bard." 



62 THE BANQUET. 



SONG OF THE VAJDELOTE. 

^^ Before the plague at Litva strikes the blow. 
Its dread approach the seer's eye can show ; 
For if to the Vajdelotes we credence give, 
Amid deserted tombs, we must believe, 
Or on some wasted plain, through shades of night, 
The maiden of the Plague stands forth to sight; 
All white her clothing, while upon her brows 
A fiery garland with dread lustre glows. 
Her head o'er-tops the Bialovieskan woods. 
And in her hand a bloody 'kerchief waves. 

" Their eyes in fear the castle watchmen hide 
Beneath their helmets, round the village side. 
The guardian dogs, half burying in the earth 
Their heads, with terror tear the ground beneath. 
And with dread howl proclaim the scent of death. 

"With sad ill-boding steps the maiden walks. 
O'er village, castle, and rich city stalks ; 



THE BANQUET. 63 

And each time at that 'kerchiefs sign of blood 
A desert spreads, where once a palace stood. 
Wherever with her foot she prints the earth, 
Sadden, a new made grave starts gaping forth. 

^' Oh I fatal apparition I but more dread. 
The misery threatened upon Litva's head. 
By that strange symbol from the German side. 
The cross of black upon the mantle wide. 
And ostrich plumes on glittering helmet borne. 
Where'er the steps of that dread phantom turn, 
'Twere nothing, — village waste, and ruined town. 
The whole wide land to a vast tomb is grown. 
Ah I is there here but one, who dares to own 
A IJtvan soul ? — come hither and sit down 
With me, beside a nation's funeral bier. 

With me to muse, to sing, to shed a tear. 

"'fradition — mighty arch to bind 
The cherished past of human kind 
With later years ; — when fortune darkly lowers 



64 THE BANQUET. 

On thee, in faith of happier days. 
Her warriors' swords the nation lays, 
Her thread of thrilling thoughts, her feelings' 
flowers. 



" Arch 1 unhurt by foreign blow, 
Long as thy magic form shall know. 
No stain from thine own people's hands : 
Traditionary song ! on guard that stands. 
As at some temple's portal, where the best. 
The nation's dearest recollections rest. 
With wings and voice of the archangel, thou 
At times canst wield the archangel's weapons too. 

"Flame, ancient painted records can devour, 

Armed robbers desolate a treasure store ; 

The song escapes entire, pervading far. 

The crowd of men, and if, its voice to hear. 

Only base souls are found, who never knew 

To nourish it with tears, with hope bedew. 

It seeks the mountains, round some ruin climbs. 

And thence it tells its tale of other times. 
1 



THE BANQUET. 65 

# 

** Just as the nightingale her flight will take. 
With the up-shooting flames, that furious break 
Throughout the burning tenement ; but still. 
Upon the tottering roof delays awhile. 
When sinks the roof, quick to the woods she soars, 
Thence, o'er fresh graves and recent ashes, pours 
To the lone traveller, his path along. 
From deep melodious breast, her mournful song. 

**Such song Fve heard, — upon some battle plain. 
Where rest the relics of the mighty slain : 
The aged peasant drives his ploughshare on. 
Till, as those mouldering bones it grates upon. 
In sudden thought his toilsome task he stays. 
And, on his humble flute of willow, plays 
The requiem for the dead, or, in some pious song. 
Records your praise, great fathers, childless, ah I 

too long. 
Echo replied, — ^I heard its voice from far. 
And more that cadence grieved mine eye, mine 

ear. 
That I was there alone to see and hear. 



66 THE BANQUET. 

*^ As the archangel's trump from tombs shall call 
The slumbering dead^ on that day last of. all; 
So^ at the sound of song, beneath my feet 
The bones that lie^ impatient clustering meet 
In giant stature : from each ruined heap. 
Column and arched roof start into shape ; 
The desert lake resounds with numerous oars. 
The castle's open portal next appears. 
The crowns of princes, arms of warriors rise, 
The minstrels sing, the maiden circle plies 
The mazy dance, — ^yes, 'twas a vision fair : 
Hew fearful then my sad awakenings are. 

*^ The woods, the native hills are seen no more; 
No more on pinions tired the mind can soar. 
But falls, — and shrinks within its own sad breast ; 
In withered hand the harp must silent rest : 
Often 'mid my compatriots' sighs and tears 
The voices of the past scarce reach these ears ; 
But, while some, sparks of youthful warmth yet 

gleam 
Within my breast, oft-times the fires shall seem 



THE BANQUET. 6? 

To kindle into life, my soul levive. 

And memory some mysterious light receive. 

Then, like a crystal lamp shall memory shine. 

That, drawn with many a pictured form and line. 
Though dust and scars have seared its beauty oVr, 
Yet shows some shadowy brilliancy once more, 
If but a light you place within its heart ; 
Still its sweet freshness on the eye will dart. 
Still, on the palace walls, a carpet's hues. 
Beauteous, though somewhat seared, its radiance 
shows. 



" Oh were I capable, so to transfuse 
Some sacred fire within the breasts of those. 
Who listen here, and once more to revive 

The forms of the long past, — or knew to give 
Unto my words some soul-awakening sound. 
To pierce each brother heart that slumbers round; 
Perchance, in that same moment they might feel. 
When the song's accents to their soul should steal. 
Might feel the pulse their heart once joyed to own. 
Their soul into its former greatness grown, 

F 2 



68 THE BANQUET. 

One moment live exalted and sublime^ 

As their great fathers lived long years of olden 



^^ But why despairing call on ages past ? 
As yet^ the singer no reproach can cast 
On his own times,— behold a man, not far. 
But living, great, among us, — Litvans can ye 
hear." 



The old man ceased, and some time listening 
sat. 
Permission for his further song to wait ; 
Throughout the hall a lengthened silence reigned; 
From such a sign the minstrel courage gained. 
To recommence his song. Then he began. 
But to a different time the numbers ran. 
His voice in fall of freer measures broke, — 
Weaker, — now clearer tones by turns it took. 
Till, from a lofty hymn, it told a simple tal^ 



THE BANQUET. 69 



THE TALE OF THE VAJDELOTE. 



Whence with booty rich returning^ come these Litvan 

bands ? 
In nightly foray they have swept the bordering Prussian 

lands : 
From castle and from sacred churchy the plunder gained 

they brings 
And, by the conquering horsemen's side^ linked in a 

mournful string, 
A troop of German captives run, their hands behind them 

bound. 
And leading cords about their necks; despairing they 

look round, 
They look towards Prussia^ — and their homes lament with 

streaming tears ; 
They look towards Kovno, — to their God commend them 

in their prayers. 
Round Kovno &r extended lies Peruna's fatal plain ; 
There did the Litvan princes use, in vengeance for the 

slain. 



70 THE BANQUET. 

(The victory gained) the German knights to bum upon 

the pile. 
But see, two captive knights that ride, with fearless air 

the while 
Towards dreaded Kovno; one in youth and beauteous 

form appears. 
The other shows the bending weight of all-subduing 

years; 
They rushed together in the fight firom out a German 

band, 
And ^mid the Litvans shelter sought; when captive 

brought they stand' 
Before Prince Kiejstut, he made sign the strangers to 

receive 
In friendship, but with fitting guard, — and in due time 

will give. 
Within his castle, ready ear to learn their mutual tale. 
He asked them what their country, what motive could 

prevail 
To bring them there. I know not, the youngest then 

replied, 
What my name, or to what race my parent were allied ; 



THE BANQUET. 71 

At ten years old, by German force, to slavery dragged 

away ; — 
A city vast, somewhere it was, 'tis all that I can say, 
In Litva, where my parents' house, that long lost mansion 

stood; 
Built, of red brick upon a hill the house, while round, of 

wood. 
The town was humbler built. A forest vast of waving 

pine. 
Spread the surrounding plain, and far away, the trees 

between. 
Was seen the glittering lake. At length one night, — can 

I forget ? — 
A dreadfiil sound aroused us all from sleep, I hear it 

yet; 
At every window gleamed a dreadfid light of lurid day. 
Each bursting lattice crackling falls, 'mid wreaths of smoke, 

that play 
Round burning roofs ; we seek the gate, the sparks in 

deluge fall, 
A frightful glare shoots down the street, — To arms I to 

arms! they call. 



72 THE BANQUET. 

The Germans are within our walls, — to arms 1 quick to the 

door, 
(His weapons found) my father rushed, — rushed, and 

returned no more. 
The Germans fell upon our house, and one laid hands on 

me. 
Dragged me upon his horse : what more then passed I did 

not see ; 
Only my mother's dreadful shriek, long, long I heard 

afar; 
'Mid clang of arms and ruins' fall, that shriek still struck 

mine ear; 
It followed me, and in my heart it ever will remain. 
E'en now, if cries by chance I hear, or burnings see, — 

again 
That shriek awakens in my soul, as when the thunder's 

roar 
Wakes echo, in some cavern vast, on ocean's rocky shore. 
Now I have told the whole I know, of Litva or my 

race; 
Yet still at times, in dreams of night, each half remem- 
bered face 



THE BANQUET. 73 

And form adored, of fether, mother, brothers, greets mine 

eyes. 
But, as the years advance, a cloud mysterious seems to rise. 
Darker and thicker, with its veil those traits beloved to 

shroud. 

Thus childhood's years ran on, while I, amid the German 
crowd. 

Like German lived ; Walter my name was changed, to 

please their will. 

To Alf, — but, with a German name, my soul was Litvan 

still: 
Still, vain regrets for parents dear were twined around my 

heart. 
Still vengeance lived within my breast, nor ever shall 

depart I 
Vinrich, Grand- Master of the knights, his palace made my 

home. 
Caressed me like a son beloved, and, when the time was 

come. 
At the baptismal christian font, held me. with his own 

hand. 
But soon of palaces I tired, nor longer could withstand. 



74 THE BANQUET. 

From Yinrich's knees to fly, and seek the ancient Vajde- 

lote. 
He, that old Litvan Vajdelote, long years ago was brought^ 
To pine in German slavery, and 'midst them still retained. 
To serve as their interpreter in war, he there remained. 

He, when he heard of me, that late from Litva dragged 

away, 

A mourning orphan I was brought, oft-times he would 

essay 
To tempt me towards him, then he told of Litva, in 

Litva's tongue. 

And fed my sinking soul with strains of our own native 
song. 

Oft on the dark blue Niemen's shore together we would 
stand. 

For, thence I gazed on the loved hills of our dear father- 
land; 

When to the castle we returned, the old man wiped his 
eyes. 

To lull suspicion, and mine, too, he wiped; but fresh 
supplies 



THE BANQUET. 75 

Of vengeance, poured within my heart, against the German 

name. 
Well, I remember, when within the castle back I came, 
I sharpened secretly a knife, and, with what vengeful 

joy* 

I Vinrich's carpets cut, his mirrors scratched, and to 

destroy 
His shield's fair polish, sand I threw, and spat upon its 

face. 
Oft in my later youthful years, from Kleyped's landing 

place. 
The old man and I together launched to seek the Litvan 

shore. 
And from its cherished banks I snatched in haste some 

native flower : 
I breathed its lovely odours in, and felt some secret spell 
Call up the thoughts that long had slept in memory's 

silent cell ; 
Drunk with the odours, then it seemed I was again a 

child, — 
That still my brothers played around, that still my parents 

smiled. 



76 THE BANQUET. 

In words more sweet than herb or flower, from memory's 

cherished store. 
The old man then traced the happy past, and pictured, 

how, once more 
Sweet it would be, in my own land, 'mid friends and 

kindred dear. 

Moments of youth to spend, and how such moments 
should appear 

No more, to crowds of Litva's sons, that sighed in German 

chains ; 
Such stories in our fields he told, but when we left the 

plains. 
And stood upon Polangen's shore, where with repeated 

bound. 
The thundering breast of the broad sea strikes the resisting 

ground. 
And from its foaming throat pours out fountains of mingled 

sand ; 
'^Seest thou," the old man said, <' the green that joins the 

barren strand, — 
That barren covering spreads apace around each flower fidr. 
That, with its head resisting still, pants for the freshening 

air: 



THE BANQUET. 77 

In vain, for still the gravelly front, like hydra new revives. 
And spreads its whitening scales; in vain the living 

verdure strives. 
Against that desert-spreading power, its stru^ling life to 

save. 

My son, the spring flowers you behold sink living to their 

grave. 
They the subdued nations, they our Litvan brethren 

are. 
My son, the sand advancing on, 'mid wild sea-tempests' 

jar,— 
That is the Order ;" — how my heart was torn when thus he 

spoke, 
I wish the Teutons to destroy, or to escape their yoke. 
And fly again to Litva. The old man would then 

restrain 
My eagerness. *' Free knights," he said, "upon the open 

plain. 
May choose their weapons, and disdain all but an equal 

foe; 
But we must wait ; — in secret strive the German arts to 

know; 



78 THE BANQUET. 

To learn their warlike stratagems ; their confidence must 

gain. 
And later see what can be done." I knew it was in vain 
The old man's counsel to resist, and to his words obeyed ; 
I with the Teuton armies went; but, when abroad dis- 
played. 
In the first combat, there my country's standard met mine 

eyes; 
When 'gan upon mine ear our native war-song notes to 

rise. 
Towards my own countrymen I rushed, and led the old 

man with me. 
So, when in cruel cage confined, the falcon wild you 

see. 
Dragged from his native nest, what though the hunter's 

barbarous art 
Teach him his brethren to pursue, let him but once 

depart. 
Take his wild flight, and meet his brother falcons in the 

sky. 
No sooner to the clouds he soars, compasses with his 

eye 



THE BANQUET. 79 

His native blue expanse wide spread^ and through the 

ether springs. 
In the free air draws breath, and hears the rustle of his 

wings. 
Huntsman go home, and with thy cage no more the falcon 

wait. 
The young man ended ; all the while Kiejstut attentive 

sat, 
Attentive, too, his daughter sat, Aldona young and 

fair. 
Beautiful as a deity ; — 



Now bad the sinking year 
Brought Autumn days, and with the time, drew longer 

evenings on ; 
And while the young Kiejstuta sat, the accustomed group 

among. 
Her sisters here, her maidens round, while in their busy 

hands 
Some 'broidery fair, or various work is seen, then, Walter 

stands. 



80 THE BANQUET. 

Strange things about the German land, and his own 

youth he tells : 
Each word of Walter deep within the maiden's memory 

dwells. 
And through her watching ears absorbed into her eager 

mind. 

At times will in her hours of sleep unconscious utterance 
find. 

Beyond the Niemen, Walter told, what splendid castles 

rise, 

What cities vast, what garments rich, what gay festivities ; 

How valiant knights in tournament break lance, while 
maidens fair 

From balconies adjudge the crown the victor's brow shall 
wear. 

Beyond the Niemen too, he told, there a great God is 
known. 

And the immaculate Mother, that bore his divine Son, 

Whose traits he in a picture showed, mysteriously ex- 
pressed. 

That picture strange the young man bore piously on his 
breast ; 

1 



THE BANQUET. 81 

But gave it to the Litvan maid, the day her simple 

mind 
Conversion to his faith confessed, — when in communion 

joined. 
With her the Saviour's prayer he said ; and all that more 

he knew. 
He wished to teach her ; — then, alas I too far his teaching 

grew. 
He taught her what himself knew not as yet, — taught her 

to love. ^ 
And much he taught himseU^ for now what wild emotions 

move 
His breast, when from her lips he heard the long lost 

Litvan sounds. 
With each expression some new sense within his bosom 

bounds, 

« 

Wakened afresh, like spsurk from latent ashes, then how 

sweet 
The names of kindred, friendship, — sweetest friendship, 

'twas to greet. 
And sweeter still than all, the word " to love," that e'er 

shall stand. 



82 THE BANQUET. 

With but one equal upon earth, the word, — "our fiither- 

lanA" 
What sudden change, then Kiejstut thought, comes o'er 

my daughter's mind. 
Where is her former cheerfulness, and why no more 

inclined 
To sports that other maidens love ? On festive holiday. 
While others all in the light dance pass the bright hours 

away. 
She solitary sits, or else with Walter talks alone. 
On common days, at various work, Aldona, too, was 

known, 
Like others, with embroidery frame, or needle ever 

nigh ; 
The needle now falls from her hands, the threads in 

tangles lie ; 
Herself e'en sees not what she does; on every side 'tis 

said: 
At evening tide I find a rose in hues of green arrayed. 
While the young leaves she paints with silk the colour of 

the rose. 
How can she see, when all her looks alone are fixed on 

those 



THE BANQUET. 83 

Of Walter ; — when 'tis Walter's eye, his words alone she 

seeks. 
My question, — whither is she gone ? — but one reply be- 
speaks, — 
Tis to the valley, — and whence comes she back, 'tis still 

the same. 
Still from the valley : what may form the valley's secret 

charm ? 
The young man has for her, of late, planted a garden 

there ; 
And looks that garden fairer than my castle gardens 

are? 
(A splendid garden Kiejstut had, where pears and apples 

grew. 
In rich abundance, and their charm the Kovno maidens 

knew :) 
My garden pleases her no more, her window too I've 

seen, 
In winter, — how upon the glass there forms no icy 

screen. 
Where towards the Niemen's side it looks, — but, as in 

balmy May, 

G 2 



84 THE BANQUET. 

Transparent there the crystal shmes, — ^'tis Walter comes 

that way ; 
Doubtless she at the window sits, and melts, with her 

warm sighs. 
The yielding ice. I thought indeed, as now our princes 

prize. 
To see their children read and write, that such was their 

employ. 
That such he taught her, — and how good and valiant is 

the boy. 
Learned in writings like a Priest, — shall I drive him away. 
Out of my house ? — him whom I find Litva's best hope 

and stay ? 
How well a squadron he can range, or an intrenchment 

form. 
And plant those dreaded mouths of fire that rain their 

iron storm ! 
Go, Walter, — thou my armies' strength, — 'tis thou alone 

ahalt be 
Aldona's husband, Litva's hope, and more than all to me. 
Aldona married Walter, — Germans, doubtlessyou suppose. 
That here our tedious tale will find a fitting final close : 



THE BANQUET. 85 

In your love tales^ the troubadour, 'tis true, concludes 

his song, 
When the knights marry ; only he tells, happy they lived 

and long ; 
Walter too loved his wife, but — noble in mind, — could 

know. 

No joy, while o'er his native land spread the dark clouds 
of woe. 



Hardly the earth has drunk the winter snows, and the 

first song 
Of the blithe rising lark is heard, — to other laads, how 

long 
That sound a sound of joy has been, — 'but to poor Litva's 

ears 
No joy it brings; burnings and death the quick revolving 

years 
Bring with them. Then the Teuton, ranks, o&esh, a 

ceaseless throng 
March forward, and through Kovno's vale the feacfiil 

sound prolong, — 



SG THE BANQUET. 

Far o'er the bordering Nicmen's hills, a numerous army's 
tread: 

The clang of arms, the war-horse neigh, while, o'er the 
valley spread. 

The camp extends like a white mist: at intervals be- 
tween. 

The flags that mark the advancing posts in the dim light 
are seen, 

Like lightning when the tempest lowers. The Germans 
hold their ground 

On Niemen's shore ; a bridge they cast, and compass Kovno 

« 
round. 

Day after day, by battering rams the walls and bastions 

fall; 
Night aft;er night, destructive mines with their dread 

sound appal ; 
Ascending from thick clouds of smoke, the shells incessant 

fly. 

With wings of fire, and mark their prey, like falcon from 

on high ; 
They strike the yielding roofi, and soon must Kovno in 

ruins lie ; 



THE BAXQUET. 87 

Litva on Kiejdan now retires^ Kiejdan to ruin falls ; 
Mountains and woods alone remain, nature's own native 

walb: 
There Litva long resists, while still, plundering and burn- 
ing far. 
The Germans spread, and ceaseless wage exterminating 

war. 
Kiejstut and Walter, first in fight, were last in the retreat: 
Kiejstut was ever calm,— firom childhood's days was used 

to meet. 
And fight the foe, to fall on them, brief 'vantage gain,— 

then fly : 
So lived his father, and himself so thought to live and 

die: 
Against the Germans struggling on, in the same path to 

tread. 
His father's steps, nor forward thought to cast one look of 

dread; 
Other the thoughts of Walter were, amid the German 

bands 
Brought up, the Order's power he knew, — into the Master's 

hands, 



88 THE BANQUET. 

He knew all Europe would pour forth, from out her em- 
pure wide. 

Troops, weapons, countless treasures too, to gather at his 
side. 

The Prussians after struggle vain groan 'neath the Teuton 
sway. 

And soon or late mustLitva share the same sad fate as they. 

Prussia in misery he had seen, and trembled at the thought 

Of Litva's future fate. '^ My son, with evil bodings fraught, 

A fatal prophet," Kiejstut said, "thou com'st to lift the 
veil. 

And wide display the deep abyss at which my senses fail ; 

For while I listen to thy words, my hands seem 'reft of 

4 

power. 
And with the hope of victory lost, my heart is bold no more. 
What 'gainst these Germans can we do ?" " My father," 

Walter said ; 
" One only certain mode I know, — ^but oh 1 how ftill of 

dread I 
Some day may tell it.^ Thus they talked after the fight 

was done. 
Until to combat and firesh loss the trumpet called them on. 



-■-— Tir--'^-- ^-' 



THE BANQUET. 89 

Kiejstut more melancholy grew, — Walter how greatly 

changed I 
Formerly, tho' in narrow bounds his gayer humour ranged, 
(For in his happiest moments past, a shade of thought was 

seen. 
To cloud his cheek) yet in Aldona's arms, an air serene 
Her presence shed, nor once she missed the welcome of a 

smile. 

Or greeted with such touching look as seemed to bless the 
while ; 

But now it seemed some secret grief his inward soul op- 
pressed ; 
Before the house, the morning through, his arms across 
his breast. 

Silent he stands, and gazes on the clouds of smoke that 

rise 

From towns and villages around^ — gazes with 'wUdered 

eyes; 
At night, oft starting from his sleep, with look of wild 

despair 
Fixed at the window, he surveys wide spread the bloody 
glare. 

1 



90 THE BANQUET. 

** Dear husband what can ail thee ?" 

(Aldona asks with tears). 



WALTER. 

What ails me ? — Shall I quiet sleep, 'till suddenly appears 
The invading German at our gate, to tie the sleeper^s 

hands. 
And to the executioner alone unloose his bands? 



ALDONA^ 

Oh, God forbid I my husband dear ; along the trenches 

deep 
The Guards are watching 1 — 



WALTER. 

True, my love ; I too the watch will keep. 

Sabre in hand, but when at last those guards have perished 

aU, 
The sabre blunted Listen I — ^When old age on 

me shall fall, 
Such misery if I live to see • . . 



THE BANQUET. 91 

ALDONA. 

God I give us children dear. 
Our comfort and defence in age. 



WALTER. 

Still ever pressing near. 
The Germans will upon us fall, and thee, my wife, shall 

slay. 
And, destined to some prison far, my children tear away, 
Where they shall learn to aim the spear e'en at their pa- 
rents' heart. 
And I, perhaps, a traitor vile, had borne no better part. 
Had killed my father, slain my brothers, had not the 
Vajdelote 



ALDONA. 

Dear Walter, let us further go, — ^in Litva hide remote, 
'Mid her far hills, and forests wild the Germans dare not 
come. 



WALTER. 

Then shall we other mothers leave, and children, to their 
doom; 



92 THE BANQUET. 

The Prussians so to Litva's bounds, chased by the Ger- 
mans, fled : 
If to the hills we should be tracked ?— 



ALDOXA. 

Further we still may speed 



WALTER. 

Further, — further 1 unhappy one 1 past Litva shall we go ? 
And fall in Tartar hands or Russ, a still more dreadful 
foe? 



No answer then Aldona gave ; confounded quite she sat ; 
As yet, her country's bounds, to her wide as the world 

were great. 
Wide without end, now first she heard Litva no hope 

affords ; 
With wringing bands, some refuge yet she hopes firom 

Walter's words. 



One mode alone, Aldona dear, to Litva now remains, — 
To break the Order's power, and save our country firom 
their chains : 



THE BANQUET. 



93 



To me that mode is known, but oh I for God's sake seek 

no more 
To ask it of me, for a hundred times be cursed the hour. 
When, forced by our dread enemy, I make that meansavail 1 
Further he would not tell, nor could AJdona's prayers 

prevail : 
Litva in misery, alone absorbed his eye, — his ear. 
Until the flame within his breast no longer he could bear; 
That flame of vengeance, long suppressed, and long in 

silence fed. 
Burst round his heart and left its pulse, to other feelings 

dead: 
All thoughts he chased, all feelings quelled and to extir- 
pate strove 
E'en that sole solace of the past — e'en that one feeling, — 

love. 
So, some old Bialovieskan Oak ; — when hunters there have 

been. 
And living embers careless left to bum its heart within. 
The forest monarch soon must strew his airy leaves around^ 
Next, carried by the winds away, his branches strew the 
ground. 



94 THE BANQUET. 

And last of all, his verdant crown of ever living green — 
The lasting mistletoe, is dried, and life no more is seen. 



Long 'mid their castles, hills, and woods, the Litvans 

wandering strayed. 
Tracked by the Germans, or in turn assailing effort 

made; 
Until at last Rudava's plain in seas of blood was dyed ; 
There tens of thousands Litvan youth were slain, and by 

their side, 
Of Teuton brothers, chiefs, and knights, as many thou- 
sands fell. 
But soon from sea fresh troops arrive, the German ranks 

to swell : 
Kiejstut and Walter sought the hills, — a handful of the 

brave 
Alone remained, their sabres hacked, their shields all cleft, 

they gave 
Sad token of disasters past, and dangers yet to come. 
As, soiled with dust and mingled blood, they enter each 

their home. 



THE BANQUET. 95 

Walter looked not upon his wife, no greeting from him 
broke, 

With Kiejstut and the Vajdelote in German phrase he 
spoke: 

Aldona understood them not, only her heart foretold 

Some dread event: Long time they thus, mysterious coun- 
sel hold : 

Then all upon Aldona looked, with sad dejected air ; 

Walter the longest looked, with signs of speechless deep 
despair. 

At last, quick from his aching eyes, the rapid tear-drops 
start: 

Then at Aldona's feet, he pressed her hands upon his heart. 

And pardon asked, for all the woes that she had borne 
for him. 

" Woe ! to the women," then he said, " that love such 
frenzied men : 

Such men whose roving eyes beyond their village dare to 
stray : 

Whose thoughts, — like smoke that through the roof per- 
petual finds its way, — 



96 THE BANQtJET. 

Whose hearts, — ^beyond their home-retreat for distant 

objects strive: 
Great hearts^ Aldona, thej are like a too extensive hive; 
The honey cannot fill them, they become the lizard's nest. 
Pardon, Aldona dear I to-day with thee I mean to rest : 
To-day, foi^etting all our woes, we vnll together spend 
As formerly we oft have done, to-morrow'' he 

dared not end. 
Joy for Aldona I then she thought Walter indeed would 

change I 
Again his harassed thoughts would move in their once 

quiet range : 
Less gloomy looks his anxious brow, more lively beam his 

eyes. 
While on his pallid cheek there seems the blush of health 

to rise. 
Unmoving firom Aldona's feet, Walter that evening passed ; 
Litva, the Teutons, and the war, for once away he cast 
Of happy times, — his first return to Litva, then he spoke ; 
Their first discourse, and the first walk they in the valley 

took: 
O'er each event, called up afresh, he gave his thoughts to 

rove. 



THE BANQUET. 97 

Childish perchance, but not less dear, of their first dawn- 
ing love : 

Why should " to-morrow," — that one word, disturb dis- 
course so swe6t ? 

Again, dejected, on his wife long time his looks are 
set; 

Tears cloud his eyes, as for some grief he must, but dare 
not tell ; 

Summons he only feelings past ? and do his thoughts but 
dwell 

On former happiness, — to take of all a sad farewell ? 

All the discourse, the tenderness, which marked that 
closing day. 

Shall it be, of their lamp of love but the expiring 
ray? 

In vain to ask, Aldona looks, uncertain seeks to know ; 

Leaving her chamber, through the door, the chinks be- 
fore her shew, 

Walter, who pours out wine, and in large goblets drinks 
it down. 

And all that night, the Vajdelote he kept with him alone. 



H 



98 THE BANQUET. 

Scarce risen the sun^ a clattering noise disturbs the 

morning stiU; 
Two knights with th' early mist that ride, hasting along 

the hill. 
They passed the guards ; — but one there was, could they 

evade her sight ? 
Vigilant are the eyes of love, Aldona guessed their flight I 
The valley's pathway she waylaid, dreadful the meeting 

there. 
" Return, my loved one, home return, heaven yet for thee 

may spare 
Some happy days, — thy parents dear may make thee 

happy yet; 
Thou, young and fair, shalt other comfort find, — thou wilt 

forget ! 
Princes many, in days gone by, aspired to gain thy 

hand, 
Now firee, a great man's widow left, obey his last command. 
Who for his native country's good, relinquished, even 

thee. 
Farewell, my love, try to forget, yet weep sometimes for 

me I 



THE BANQUET. 99 

Walter everything has lost, Walter remains alone ; 

Like wind that o'er the desert sweeps, — ^he, the wide earth 

upon. 
Must wander, must deceive, must slay, then die himself 

at last 
Some horrid death ; but thou shalt find, after long years 

are past. 
The name of Alf, anew resound from every Litvan 

tongue ; 
His deeds the Vajdelotes shall tell, in their undying song : 
Then, loved one, then call thou to mind, amid the wonder* 

ing crowd. 
Who the mysterious clouds would pierce, that still his 

memory shroud. 
To one — to thee, he all is known, once husband was to 

thee. 
Such noble pride be thy support, when thou must orphan 

be/' 

Aldona silent listening stood, but not one word she heard : 
" Thou goest 1 thou goest !" she cried ; herself at her 
own voice was scared, 

H 2 



100 THE BANQUET. 

And that dread word, " thou goest/' alone seemed in her 

ear to sound ; 
Her thoughts, the past, the future, all in wild confusion 

drowned ; 
But, in her heart, she felt too well, for her was no return. 
She never could forget the past : — her straining eye-balls 

bum; 
Oflen towards Walter they are thrown, and. meet his 

'wildered gaze : 
Already something there they find unlike the former days ; 
The consolation wanting there, she seems elsewhere to 

seek. 
In some new object, that may yet on her sad prospect 

break. 
All wood and wilderness around, — but, in the morning 

beam 
Glitters afar, the woods among, beyond the Niemen's 

stream, 
A solitary turret's form ; there, a lone building stands, 
A convent's new and sad retreat, built by the Christian 

* 

hands. 
Aldona's eyes and parting thoughts upon that turret rest. 
As, by the tempest borne away, amid the ocean vast. 



THB BANQUET. 101 

A dove lights on the passing mast of some stray bark un- 
known. 

Walter could understand that look. In silence both 
pass on. 

Then his intention he revealed^ but, wrapt in mystery 
deep. 

Silence profound, before the world, Aldona's lips must 
keep; 

And at the gate, — alas I who shall that dreadful parting 
teU?- 

Alf with the Vajdelote rode on ; — time since does not re- 
veal 

The unknown destiny, that hangs over their mutual path. 

Woe! woe J — if unfulfilled still rests his dreadful oath, — 

If^ happiness himself renounced, Aldona's poisoned too, — 

I^ so much sacrificed, as yet, such sacrifice he view 

In vain ; — the future yet may tell — 

Germans, I end my song I 

" The end I— so soon the end I"— the hall 
Resounds with the tumultuous calL 
" What of that Walter ?— what his deeds?— 
Where ? — against whom, and whence proceeds 



102 THE BANQUET. 

That vengeful threat?" — the listeners cry. 
One only there sat silent by, — 
The Master, 'mid the noisy throng, 
With head inclined, but frequent wrung 
With some deep thoughts his anxious breast ; 
And constant, as each moment past. 
Goblets of wine he swallowed down ; 
A change is o'er his features thrown. 
New feelings flash with sudden break. 
Across his flame-enkindled cheek; 
More and more threatening clouds his brow. 
His trembling lips more livid grow. 
His staring eyes dart here and there, 
, Like swallows through the stormy air : 
At last, his mantle down he flings. 
And furious, in the midst he springs ; 
*' Where is the end ? — Come, instantly. 
And sing the end of the song to me ! 
Or give the harp : — why stand ye there. 
Trembling, nor further seem to dare ? — 
Give me the harp, — new goblets fill ! 
If you to end it fear, I will : 



THE BANQUET. 103 

" I know ye well, ye Vajdelotes ! — 
Always your song some woe denotes, 
Foretelling miseries, like the howl 
Of dogs, at midnight hour that prowl ; 
Burnings and death ye love to sing ; 
Glory and griefs to us ye bring : 
Your trait'rous song, the cradled child 
First feels, as the delusion wild 
Coils like a viper round his heart, 
A dreadful poison to impart, — 
Mad thirst for glory, or vain love 
Of country, in his breast to move. 

'^ Then on his youthftil steps 'twill tread. 
Like some slain foe's unquiet shade ; 
At times break forth in festive hour. 
The wine with mingled blood to pour. 
I madly once such songs could hear .... 
Be it so, be it, — ^you, old man, — 
Old traitor ! you have played and won ; 
War murmurs through your poesy, — 
Bring wine : your hopes fulfilled shall be. 



104 THE BANQUET. 

" I know the ending of your song : 
No, — I will 8ing another. Long 
The time since on the hills of Spain 
I learned a Moorish ballad strain. 
Old man, those notes of childhood play, — 
Those notes, — ^which, in the valley . . . stay. 
Yes, those were times of happiness, — 
That sound my soul shall ever bless. 
My heart respond. Old man, stay there ! 
For, by all gods Prussian, I swear. 
Or German, — the old man must remain !'* 
He struck the harp, — a fitful strain ; 
And with uncertain notes he went, 
To the wild tones, that Konrad sent, 
Like slave, behind his angry lord. 

Meantime, upon the festive board. 
The lights are sinking, the long feast 
Has lulled to sleep each knightly guest. • 
But Konrad still will sing. They rise 
Anew, and stand with wondering eyes. 
Round him in narrower circle throng. 
And weigh each accent of the song. 



THE BANQUET. 105 



BALLAD. 

The Moorish power to ruin falls. 

The nation breaks its chains ; 
Yet, still hold out Granada's walls. 

Though there the plague-spot reigns. 

In Alpuhara's tower, some brave 

Almanzor still can form. 
Beneath him, Spain's dread banners wave,- 

To-morrow, — to the storm. 

At rising sun the cannons wake. 

Tear the defences down ; 
The Cross now crowns the minaret's peak, 

Spain makes the tower her own. 

Almanzor, when th' assailing host 

No efforts brave could stay. 
Alone, through pikes and sabres crossed. 

In safety cut his way. 



106 THE BANQUBT. 

Spain^ on the castle's ruined heaps, 
'Mid corpse and crumbled stone. 

In floods of wine her revel keeps. 
Shares out the booty won. 

Word came then from the outer guard, 
" A stranger prince is here, 

Who prays he speedy may be heard. 
Great tidings to declare.^' 

Almanzor, king of the Moslem, 

'Twas he, — a safe retreat 
He quits, and life alone will claim, 

Submissive at their feet. 

" Spaniard, at threshold of your door, 
I came, to strike my brow ; 

The Christian's God I here adore. 
Faith to your prophet vow. 

" Let glory tell, let the world see, 

An Arab king cast down 
Can brother to his conquerors be. 

Vassal of foreign crown." 



THE BANQUET. 107 

Spaniards true valour well can prize ; 

When they Almanzor knew^ 
The chief embraced him, all then rise 

A comrade's love to shew. 

Almanzor, all embraced in turn. 

But most their chief caressed. 
Hung on his neck, clung to his hand. 

Long to his lip was pressed. 

Then sudden faUs upon his knees. 

Fainting,— with trembling hands. 
His turban round the Spaniard's feet. 

Drags him in willing bands. 

He looked, — they gaze with strange surprise. 

Pale — ^Uvid turns his face. 
Horridly smile his lips, — ^his eyes 

Quick streams of blood deface. 

See, Giaour I I am pale and wan ! 

Guess who my mission gave : 
The plague, I from Granada bring. 

Nothing thy life can save. 



108 THE BANQUET. 

In that embrace, within thy soul 

A poison deep doth lie; 
Look, for to thee my sufferings tell. 

The death ye all shall die. 

He turns him, — calls, — in one embrace 
Prolonged, extends his arms ; 

As though all Spaniards he would press,- 
Laughs : well that laugh alarms* 

He laughed, — he died, — his eyelids still. 

His lips, unclosed remain ; 
There shall that laugh for ever dwell, — 

E'en his cold lips retain. 

The Spaniards, scared, no longer stay ; 

The plague attends them still ; 
Their blackened corpses strew the way 

From famed Granada's hilL 

'* So could the Moor his vengeance take I 

What project can a Litvan make 

For vengeance ? — Do you wish to know ? 

Well I If perchance he keep his vow, 

1 



THE BANQUET. 109 

Round you the ^)estilence entwine, 
Or mix it in your cup of wine. 
But no, — oh no ! to-day at least 
Are other customs ; at our feast 
Prince Vitold sits, the Litvan lords 
Give us their lands, lend us their swords. 
On their own suffering people seek. 
With Teutons joined, revenge to take I 

" But still, — no, by Peruna! — no ! 
Not all, — for Litva still can show 
Some . . • . I have something yet to sing : 
Away that harpi there jars a string — 
'Tis broken,-— there shall be no song, — 
Yet I will hope there once again 
Shall be ... . to-day, too much my brain 
Overflows with wine, — rejoice ! — be gay I 
And thou Al . . . manzor, — quick ! away. 
Old man ! — quick fix)m my eyes begone ! 
Halban away ! — leave me alone," 

He ended, and again made space 
With faltering steps, to find his place : 



110 THE BANQUET. 

Then sank into his chair, but still 
Some smothered threats his lips conceal : 
His foot a sudden movement made. 
Which cups, and wine, and table laid 
O'ertumed upon the ground, — at length. 
In weakness sinks his spirit's strength ; 
His head, supported by his chair. 
Falls back, — one moment 'wildered stare. 
Then close his eyes, — his quivering lips 
Are hid in foam : at last he sleeps ! 

The knights a moment wondering stand : 
Too well 'tis known on every hand. 
How Konrad, when inflamed with wine 
Will constant thus his sense resign. 
Into some sudden madness fall ; 
But here at feast, in open hall I 
A public shame, — when called to meet 
Some foreign guests, — these so to greet ! 
Such unexampled rage to show ! 
Who has excited him ? — ^where now 
That Vajdelote ? — He's gone ;— but where ? 
Not one among them can declare. 



THE BANQUET. Ill 

The tale went rounds that^ in disguise^ 
'Twas Halban worked that strange surprise ; 
That he it was, the Litvan song 
Had sang to Konrad ; thus among 
The Christian bands, to stir their rage. 
War fiercer on the foe to wage. 
But why that sudden change that broke 
Upon the Master ? — wherefore took 
Vitold such fearful anger ? Then, 
What that &ntastic ballad mean, 
Sung by the Master? All in vain 
They strive thes6 mysteries to explain. 



THE WAR. 



115 



THE WAR. 



War ! — Konrad now no more can stay 
The people's ardour^ nor allay 
The council's loud demands. One cry 
Alone through the whole land nins high ; 
On Litva vengeance to the death ! — 
Vengeance for Vitold's perjured faith! 

Vitold, who for the Order's aid. 
In suppliant guise so late had prayed. 
To repossess, by their dread power, 
Vilna, his capital, once more ; 
No sooner from the banquet passed. 
And certain news, that now, at last. 
The Teuton ranks will take the field, — 

I 2 



116 THE WAR. 

His purpose changed — too plain revealed ^ 

When on the eve of battle day. 

He led his knights by stealth away; 

The Teuton castles on the road 

He entered, and feigned orders showed. 

As under the Grand-Master's hand: 

The garrisons, at his command 

Resigned their arms, but quickly found. 

Fire and destruction spread them round. 

Inflamed alike with shame and rage. 

The Order, now, will furious wage 

'Gainst Litva a crusading war : 

A Bull arrives, — soon shall appear 

From sea, from land, a countless swarm — 

Knights, warriors, vassals — all that arm ; 

The cross of red their shields display ; 

One dreadful oath they all obey — 

The pagans to the Christian faith 

To bend, — or sweep them from the earth. 

They go towards Litva, and what there 
They do, — if you would know, come here. 



THE WAR. 117 

Ascend the ramparts^ cast your eyes 

Towards Litva^ when the day-light dies : 

Behold that glare^ whose bloody light 

Streams upwards o'er the arch of night ; 

Those are the signs of spoiling war, 

Their import may few words declare ; 

Massacre, rapine, fire and glare : 

In these the maddened crowd rejoice, 

But, the reflecting Sage, a voice 

Can hear, from those dread scenes arise. 

That loud to Heaven for vengeance cries. 

The wind now bears the burnings far, 
The knights still wage destructive war. 
To Litva's depths profound press on ; 
Kovno and Vilna will be won. 
So says report, — their siege is laid ; 
At length all news is sudden staid ; 
Alike report and message cease, 
That dreadful glare they see decrease ; 
No longer near, the reddening beam 
Shoots up ; the rays now faintly gleam. 
And in the distance melt away. 



118 THE WAR. 

In vain the Prussians, day by day. 
Expect from the new-conquered land. 
Rich booty, and a captive band 
Of prisoners too, — alike in vain 
They frequent send some news to gain; 
The messengers return no more ; 
Dread state I where each is left to guess 
Some fancied picture of distress : 
Far better were confirmed despair ! 

The autumn passed, the winter snows 
Pour from each mountain ridge, and close 
The encumbered roads : again shoots forth 
From far, across the vault of heaven. 
The night aurora of the north ; 
Or, gleams the light of burnings driven 
Along that sky? — ^more plain each ni^t 
Its glaring strikes their dazzled sight. 
More near the heavens display the light 

From Marienburg, with anxious gaze. 
Each eye the distant road surveys. 



THE WAIU 110 

When lo ! afar» across the waste^ 
Some men on foot, ^ith toil that haste. 
Through deepenmg snows to make their way : 
Konrad ? — our chiefs ? — can it be they ? 
How to salute them ? — conquerors ? — no. 
Rather such guise a flight may show ; 
And where the rest? — With up-raised hand, 
Konrad points out a scattered band: — 
That sight, alas I the truth betrayed. 
Disordered they come on, till, stayed 
By heaps of snow, some sink beneath ; 
They fall, they tread to mutual death. 
Like stru^ling insects, in a mass 
Cooped up, within some narrow vase. 
They mount o'er corpses, till new groups 
Press down the still up-struggling heaps. 
Some yet drag on their stiffened feet, 
Others their death more speedy meet 
Frozen upon the road ; yet stand 
Their haggard corpses, while one hand 
Stretched towards the city they diq>lay, 
And like road columns point the way. 



120 THB WAB. 

Forth from the city^ now^ a crowd. 
Alarmed and curious, line the road ; 
They fear to guess, -- no question ask ; 
That dreadful sight spares them the task. 
The expedition's fate to seek ; 
Too well the unhappy annals speak. 
In each sunk eye and haggard cheek. 
Death hung upon those eyes, the trace 
Of harpy hunger seared each face : 
Here, from advancing Litvan bands, . 
The trumpet sounds ; — the wind there sends 
The driving snow across the plain ; 
From far is borne the horrid moan. 
Of starved dogs, while, o'er their head. 
The circling crows expectant spread. 

All lost I Konrad has ruined all f 
He, with his sword, at danger's call. 
Who had such honour gained, could boast 
Such vigilance in seasons past ; 
In the last war, quite nerveless found. 
And negligent, not once could sound 



THE WAR. 121 

The cunning snares that Vitold laid ; 
But, blindly still deceivedy betrayed 
By the vain hope of vengeance near. 
To Litva's steppes vast and drear 
He pushed the army, — lingering staid, — 
And tedious siege to Vilna laid. 

Then, when the cattle all were gone> 
No more supplies from booty won. 
When hunger now the camp distressed. 
The foe around them closely pressed^ 
Destroying every succour nigh ; 
When daily hundreds starved die. 
From 'mid their ranks, 'twas time no more 
To linger there, but end the war, — 
To storm the town, or quick retreat 
In confidence, there most unmeet. 
Did Vallenrod, quite void of heed^ 
Forth the chase unthinking speed. 
Or, close within his tent confined^ 
Some secret projects he designed. 
Nor, to those counsels deep, thought fit 
The chiefs assembled to admit 



122 THE WAR. 

So far his martial ardour failed^ 
Not e'en his people's tears prevailed 
To move him ; thej, who burning wait, 
The Order's fame to vindicate. 
But, with hands folded, each long day 
In silent thought he mused away, 
Or in discourse with Halban passed. 
Meanwhile, across the wintry waste 
The snows increase, fresh ranks atrived — 
To Vitold's force new strength supplied. 

m 

He closes now their army round. 
Attacks them on their camped ground^ 
Then, — stain in the great Order's fame I 
How shall their annals tell the shame ? 
The master fled from battle-field. 
And first the dreadful news revealed : 
No laurels gained, nor booty prize. 
But news of Litva's victories. 



Saw you that haggard vampire host. 
Brought back firom scenes of glory lost ? 
Marked you then Konrad's gloomy brow ? 
His cheeks the worm of suffering show 



THE WAR. 123 

Unfolding, — Konrad suffers I^- yes. 
But something more those eyes confess ; 
Those large half-open eyes that play. 
To dart askance their vivid ray ; 
Just like a comet threatening wars ; 
Or, as each sudden change appears. 
Like lightning flash that Satan tries, 
To glare some mid-night wanderer's eyes : 
There, rage and joy uniting blend. 
And gleamings half Satanic send. 

The afirighted people murmur loud ; 
Konrad heeds not : firom out the crowd 
The indignant knights to council calls ; — 
Some spell — oh, shame I — their heart iqppals ; 
His speech commenced dieir threatening quells. 
They listen to the tale he tells. 
In all their loss, trace the decree 
Of righteous-judging Deity ; 
For when shall fear's dominion fail. 
Over man's weakness to prevail ? 



12i THE WAR. 

Stay, haughty Chief! a council meets : 
'Tis of thy guilt its judgment treats. 
In Marienburg, in vault profound. 
When slumber wraps the city round, 
There is the secret dread tribunal found. 

One lamp alone hung from the dome. 
By day and night dispels the gloom : 
Twelve chairs are seen the throne beside ; 
On it, the book whose foldings hide 
Their secret laws. Twelve judges placed. 
In fullest sable armour braced. 
With masks that each stem visage shroud, 
In those deep vaults from vulgar crowd 
Can jmeet secure, while from each brother. 
The mask mysterious hides the other. 

All swear, for every crime confessed. 
E'en on their mightiest chief, shall rest 
Due punishment, whether it lie 
Hidden, or shame the public eye; 
From sentence passed is no return. 
Nor would they spare a brother born. 



f( 



it 



THE WAR. 125 

By open force, or secret steel. 
That sentence shall the guilty feel, — 
The poniard in each searching hand. 
And at each side the ready brand. 

One of the masks approached the throne, 

And there, before that sacred book. 

With sword in hand his station took. 
Dread judges !" — then his words began. 
Now our suspicions into truth are grown : 

This Konrad Vallenrod of far renown — 

He is not Vallenrod." 
" Who is he ?" — " "Tis unknown : twelve years are 

gone. 

Since to the lands he came where flows the Rhine ; 

When passed Earl Vallenrod to Palestine, 

He, in his suite, in page*s guise was found. 

Soon the Knight Vallenrod, somewhere unknown, 

Had vanished,— of his death there fell alone 

Suspicion on that page, who then no more 

Was seen, but with suspicious haste. 
Away in secret passed. 

And landed on the Spanish shore. 



126 THE WAR. 

In battle with the Moors his valour shone. 

In tournament he made each wreath his own^ 

Renowned by the great name of Vallenrod. 

At last he took the sacred Order's oath. 

And gained the Master's state, to bring us shame 

and death. 
How he that office filled ye know. 
This winter, when with famine, snow. 
And Litvan hosts our brethren strove, 
Konrad was frequent known to rove ^ 
Alone, and, in the woods concealed. 
Secret discourse with Vitold held. 
My spies of old his deeds discerned. 
When, soon as evening hour returned. 
He hid beneath that comer tower : 
They knew not the discourse he bore 
With the recluse ; — but, in each word. 
Judges ! the Litvan tongue they heard 
From Konrad ; — 

Seeing then what, too well. 
Our envoys can to this tribunal tell 
About this man ; and what my spies, yet more. 
Of his past deeds were able to explore. 



THE WAR. 127 

All which well nigh from public voice we hear ; 
Judges ! the Grand-Master stands accused by me^ 
Of treason, falsehood, murder, heresy !" 

Then the accuser knelt before the book, 
And in his hand the crucifix he took, — 
By God I and by the Saviour's sufferings, sealed 
In solemn oath, the truth that he revealed. 

He ceased, and pondering what they heard 
The judges sit, but not one word. 
Nor even secret whisper passed. 
Nor eye was found stray look to cast, 
Nor head made sign, that might reveal. 
What in those breasts they each conceal. 
Of deep and threatening. One by one. 
Advancing they approached the throne ; 
With poniard's point the book turned o'er ; 
The laws mysterious pondered there ; 
Alone, of their own conscience asked 
For counsel, ere they judgment passed : 
A common sentence each confessed 
In silence, then together pressed 



128 THE WAR. 

A hand upon each heart, and low. 
That one dread word they utter, — Woe ! 
Three times the walk the echo gave, 
Woe I — and no other phrase they have. 
But only that one word of, — Woe I 
May their dread sentence import show. 

The judges are agreed, — twelve swords 
Upraised, speak threatening more than words, 
All pointed to one breast alone, — 
To Konrad's ! — silent they pass on. 
And those dread walls, as forth they go. 
Behind them once more answered, — Woe I 



THE ADIEU. 



K 



131 



THE ADIEU. 



A WINTRY mom, — with snow and wind — 
Vallenrod flies that lake to find. 
Nor wind nor snow his steps delayed. 
Till by the lonely shore he stayed. 
He calls, — impatient, with his sword 
Strikes on the tower, — he calls, that word- 
** Aldona, — ^now again we live 1 
Aldona, — ^thy beloved receive I 
His vows fulfilled, he comes to thee." 



THE RECLUSE. 

Alf ? — 'tis his voice ! — ah I can it be 
My Alf beloved ? — and is it peace ? 

K 2 



132 THE ADIEU. 

And thou art safe returned, to cease 
All further wanderings ? — 



KONRAD. 

Oh, Heaven ! 
Ask nothing, but, thine ear be given, 
Attentive to each word I tell : 
They all have perished ! — marked ye well 
Those burnings ? — Didst thou see ? — 'Twas there 
Litva brought back her vengeful war 
Upon the German land. Long years 
Have yet to run, ere time repairs 
The ruin round the Order spread ; 
This hand has that destruction shed, 
And struck as with a poisoned dart. 
The hundred-headed monster's heart : 
Their treasures waste avail no more, — 
That secret source of all their power j 
My oath fulfilled, — the powers of hell 
No fiercer vengeful wish could feel ; 
Nor I, for I am human still. 
Though doomed with blood, or guile, to fill 

2 



THE ADIEU. 133 

My youthful years^ — ^now bent with age, 

I tire of treasons : battle's rage 

I seek no more. The Germans, too, 

Are men, — ^let vengeance slumber now. 

Heaven seems to light my soul within ; 

I come from Litva, I have seen 

That spot, where once near Kovno stood 

Thy castle, — now in ruins laid : 

I turned away my eyes, I passed 

In flying speed, with eager haste. 

To that dear valley, once our own. 

All as of yore, — the flowers, fresh blown. 

As when, upon that evening fair. 

Our last adieus we ofiered there ; 

Seemed as, tho' since long years were flown. 

Again that evening round me shone. 

That stone, —do'st thou remember yet, — 

The limit we were wont to set 

To many a walk : its place I found. 

With moss and weed encumbered round. 

Scarce seen through its green veil of years : 

I tore the green, — and streaming tears 



134 THE ADIEU. 

Shed o'er it Then that grassy seat, 

Where from the summer noontide heat, 

Amid the shadowing maple trees, 

Thou lov'dst to rest, and court the breeze. 

The spring, which of); for thee I sought. 

And its refreshing waters brought; — 

I found them all, surveyed, ran o'er; 

E'en thy small garden, where of yore. 

Dry willow stems I planted round. 

All these, Aldona, still I found ; 

But strange, those stems, which once this hand 

Fixed lightly in the arid sand, 

Now trees of lofty growth and fair. 

Waved their young spring-leaves in the air. 

And shed the down from each pale flower, — 

Ah I at that sight, some secret power. 

Seemed to light up within my heart 

A ray of hope, and to impart 

Presentiment of happiness. 

I grasped the boughs in my embrace; 

I knelt, and, « Oh my God I" I said, 

*' Grant us but this accomplished, — 



THE ADIEU. 135 

Again our footsteps to be found 
Upon our native Litva's ground. 
Again fresh leaves of hope to see. 
Spring verdant round our destiny." 

Then come, my love, delay no more,— 
Head of the Order, I have power 
To jfiree thee, but why such command? 
Though hundred times more firm may stand 
Those gates than steel, TU force them in. 
To ruin hurl the horrid scene ; 
Then thou, my love, that valley sweet, 
Again with the beloved shall greet ; 
Or in my hand 111 lead thee on. 
To Litva's deserts vast and lone. 
'Mid Bialovieska's darksome glades. 
Exist profound and noiseless shades. 
Where never on our ear shall break 
The clash of foreign arms, nor wake 
Shout of victorious enemies. 
Nor reach, our su£Pering brethren's sighs. 
There, in some lowly cot to hide. 
Upon thy bosom, near thy side. 



i 



136 THE ADIEU. 

I will foi^et the world around^ — 

That crowded nations there are found. 

Nor feel that aught exists for me. 

But only live to live for thee : 

Then come, oh I answer me, my love I" — 

Aldona still no answer gave : 

Konrad in silence waits reply. 

When faintly, in the Eastern sky. 

The twilight's early streaks appear ; 

'^ Oh Heaven I Aldona, see'st thou there. 

Morn breaks, the world awakens round, 

Soon by the guard we shall be found, 

Aldona T — and his quivering frame 

Wrung with impatience, as her name 

He called, — till voice no more was heard. 

His straining eyes alone implored. 

With agony, his clenched hands 

On high in frenzy he extends ; 

For pity prayed, embraced and pressed 

The cold tower, with his anguished breast. 

" No, 'tis too late," — a voice then spoke ; 
Peaceftd, tho' sad, its accents broke — 



THE ADIEU. 137 

" E'en the last blow I will not fear, 
For God will grant me strength to bear : 
When I this tower's threshold passed^ 
I made my vow, — while life should last. 
Never from its sad walls to come. 
But quit them only for my tomb ; 
'Twas a dread struggle, and to-day. 
Thy words persuasive would essay 
To aid me 'gainst the will of God; 

" Whom wouldst thou to the world restore ? 
Not the same form thou knew'st before ; 
But spectre horrible to see. 
Think, if I could so frenzied be 
To hear thee, — should this dungeon quit 
And raptured rush those arms to meet. 
And thou shouldst know me not, — shouldst fly. 
Enquiring with averted eye, — 
' This hideous vampire I— can I trace 
Here my Aldona !— could I guess 
'Twas her by those dim haggard eyes ?' 
Ah I e'en the thought brings torturing pain I 
No, — ne'er the poor recluse will stain 



138 THE ADIEU. 

That image bright within thy breast. 
The fair Aldona once impressed." 

**E'en I, — ^forgive, my love, — will own. 
Each time the moon's pale beams are thrown 
Fresh on the Earth, — ^when then I hear 
Thy voice, — ^I dread to see thee near: 
I hide behind my tower's cold wall. 
Lest some stray glance on thee should &11 
And find thee changed. Perchance 'tis so. 
And thou some different traits may shew. 
From what thou wast, when, years gone by. 
Brought in that squadron's company 
Within our castle. But, since then. 
Fixed in this bosom, still remain 
The eyes, the look, the mien, the dress. 
Traced in those days of happiness. 
As, closed within its amber tomb. 
The moth's bright hues for ages bloom. 
Better for us, my Alf, to be 
Each what the other joyed to see, — 
What each the other yet shall know. 
But, — not upon this earth below ! 



THE ADIEU. 139 

Leave to the happy ones alone 
The valley fair. Each frigid stone 
Of this my sad forlorn retreat, 
I love it now, nor wish to quit : 
Enough, to know that thou art near. 
At evening, thy sweet voice to hear : 
Perchance e'en in this gloomy cell. 
Dear Alf, some solace may avail. 
Even for sufferings deep as mine. 
Treasons and death no more be thine, 
Nor horrid burnings, — only here. 
Constant, at early hour, repair. 

Oh listen 1 — On this desert plain. 
Some objects dear might live again ; 
Like ours, thou mightest plant a bower, — 
Thy willows loved, and many a flower 
From our dear valley, here might spring ; 
That stone, thou e'en might'st hither bring ; 
Then from the neighbouring hamlets round. 
At times the children might be found. 
Among our native trees to play; 
Our native plants, in garland gay. 



140 THE ADIEU. 

To twine, and, their light sports among. 

At times repeat some Litvan song. 

My fancy's aid those strains should be. 

To dreams of Litva, aad of thee. 

And long, long after many a year. 

My AlTs cold grave those songs should cheer. 

But Alf no longer heard, — the shore. 
Desert and waste, he wandered o'er. 
Without desire, or thought, or end ; 
Fevered 'mid frost, he seems to find 
Charm in the desert's dreary scene. 
Solace, for his o'er-laboured brain. 
As there he wildly treads the plain. 

Burdened, oppressed 'mid wintry snows, 
Helmet and mail his hands unclose ; 
He rends his robe to find relief, 
And frees his breast from all — ^but grie£ 

With morning light, his footsteps fall 
Close to the city rampart wall. 
What form is that ? — some shade 1 — ^he stays, 
And anxious strains his searching gaze : 



THE ADIEU. 141 

The shade still further noiseless passed. 
Gliding along the snow ; at last 
It vanished in the trench below. 
Only a voice came — Woe ! woe ! woe ! 

. Alf started at the sound, — in thought 
A moment passed, — then quickly caught 
Its dreadful import, — drew his sword 
On every side stood on his guard. 
He searches round with anxious eye ; 
All desert, — only, sweeping by. 
The wintry wind roars o'er his head. 
The snow flakes on the plain are spread : 
Towards the lone shore his looks are cast ; 
A softness o'er his spirit passed ; 
With slow and trembling steps, once more 
He seeks Aldona's dreary tower. 

He looked, and still her form was seen 
From afar, those gloomy bars between. 
" Good mom," he cried: " by night alone 
Long have our souls communion known ; 



142 THE ADIEU. 

And now good morn, — an omen sweet! 
After long years the morn with thee to greet.*' 



ALDONA. 

" I mind not omens, — fare thee well I 
My friend ; the light too much may tell 

If here thy footsteps it betray 

Cease to persuade, — farewell, away. 
Till evening shades return ; nor power. 
Nor wish have I to leave the tower." 



Alf. 
'^ The time is past ! Yet hear me speak : 
Some simple flower, — all I now seek I 
Alas ! no flowers may greet thy hand ! 
Then from thy robe, or tresses' band. 
One single thread alone let fidl. 
Or fragment of thy chamber wall 1 

" I wish, to-day, — not all may see 
To-morrow's light, — I wish from thee 
Some fresh remembrance to obtain. 
Which yet to-day has newly lain 



THE ADIEU. 143 

Upon thy bosom, or, more dear, 

On which has dropped thy latest tear. 

Then will I press it to my heart, 

At the last hour, ere life depart; 

With my last thoughts on it will dwell. 

And take of it a last farewell. 

Sudden and quick my doom comes on ;— 

I perish, thou remain 'st alone. 

Ah ! could we but together die, — 

See'st thou, my love, that turret high. 

Near to the city ? — there FU dwell, — 

This sign to thee my fate shall tell : 

From balcony, at break of day, 

A scarf of black I will display; 

At evening hour a lamp shaU shine 

Within my window. Be it thine 

Ever to watch ; if once should be 

That scarf withdrawn, or thou shouldst see 

That lamp expire before its hour. 

Then close the window of thy tower : 

Perhaps I shall return no more." 



144 THE ADIEU. 

He turned away, and soon was gone ; 
Aldona still hung gazing on 
At that small grating,— morning passed,— 
The evening sun was sinking fast, — 
Still at that window, from afar. 
The folds of her white robe appear, 
Moved by the breeze, and towards the earth 
Her outspread arms are stretching forth. 

" It sinks at last," said Alf, and shewed 
To Halban, where expiring glowed 
The sun's last ray ; there had he sat. 
At the tower window desolate, 
His steadfast gaze from earliest dawn. 
Towards sad Aldona's window borne . 



" Give me mantle and sabre now : 
Farewell, old servant, I must go 
Forth to that tower, — farewell to thee 
For long, — for ever it may be ; 
Yet listen, Halban ! If the dawn. 
To-morrow, see me not return. 



THE ADIEU. 145 

Then leave this dwelling. Something still 

These lips must to thine ear reveal : 

How lone am 1 1 — to none on earth 

Could I life's parting accents breathe. 

Save only unto her and thee. 

Again ferewell, my Halban, — she 

Will know, — thou shalt that scarf throw down, 

To-morrow, with the dawn, if then 

But what ? — do'st hear ? — noise at the gate I" 



'* Who's there? and what they purpose? state.** 
Three times the watchman cried ; but no^^— 
From voices wild the cry of Woe ! 
Alone was heard ; 'twas plain the guard 
Could no opposing strength afford. 
From heavy blows the gate falls in ; 
Below is heard the rushing din. 
As thro' the lower galleries passed 
A hurrying troop ; and now, at last. 
The circling iron stair, that guides 
Where Vallenrod in gloom resides. 



146 THE ADIEU. 

Sounds to the tread of armed men^ 

Who quickly will the summit gain. 

Alf barred the door, and drew his sword. 

Then reached a goblet from the board: 

Quickly the window's opening sought, — 

— "Be it so**— poured — and drained the draught 

« Old man I— to thee 1" 



Halban grew pale, 
A movement made, of no avail. 
To dash the goblet, — paused to hear, — 
Each moment brought the sound more near, — 
He dropped his hands. 'Tis they — they come I 



" Old man ! do'st fear the approaching doom ? 
Why with that lowering brow appear 
So thoughtful? — A full cup is there : 
Mine was drunk out, old man, to thee.'^ 
Halban in silent agony 
Despairing gazed, 

" No, 'tis too soon, 
I will outlive e'en thee, my son I 



THE AD1£U. 147 

I wish to stay, to close thine eyes, — 
To live, and see thy glory rise. 
Preserved for ages yet unborn ; 
Each litvan village, castle, town, 
I will run o'er, and where not I 
Can reach, my stirring song shall fly : 
The bard to knights in war shall sing; 
Woman, its notes inspiring. 
At home, shall to her children tell : 
And still thy deeds, remembered well. 
In future time shall spirit wake. 
Deep vengeance for our bones to take." 
Alf, staggering on the window fell. 
Fast streaming tears his anguish tell; 
Long, long, towards that lone tower was cast 
His eager gaze, how short to last ! 
As, in that sight so dear, he chose. 
Absorbed, to meet life's final close. 
With Halban then a last embrace 
He took, — ^a silent long caress. 
With mutual sighs. Now at the bars 
The noise of steel, assailing, jars : 

l2 



So 

Mine 

Halban i * * 
DespairizT^ ^' 



li-*^^ ^^ 



^ 



I 



THE ASIBV. 149 

" Ready I am to die, — what more 
Would you now seek ? — ^perchance to explore 
How well my office I have filled : 
That secret may be soon revealed. 
Look where those perished thousands lie, — 
Where towns in ruins greet thine eye, — 
Where flames o'er all the land ascend I 
Hear you the howling wintry wind ? 
There, 'neath the snows that o'er them sweep, 
Your hand's last starved remnant sleep. 
Hark I o'er the fi-agments of their meal, contend 
The famished dogs, and horrid howlings send. 

" 'Tis mine the deed, — how proud how great. 
This hand has dealt the blow of fate ! 
With one wide severing stroke alone, 
The Hydra's many heads swept down ; 
As Samson mighty vengeance took. 
Once nerved his arm, the column shook, 

--fand sank h^r.osiii."' 



A 



,« s- 



• ir 



148 THE ADIEU. 

Too well their purpose to proclaim. 
They enter, and call Alf by name. 

" Traitor ! thy head this day must fall 
Beneath the sword : thy sins recall. 
Repent them, and prepare to die. 
This aged chaplain shall supply 
Counsel of holy comfort ; haste 
To purify thy soul, nor cast 
One thought on earth, but die resigned. " 

With ready hand his sword to find, 
Alf waited their approach ; — but now. 
His blanching cheeks more livid grow; 
Scarce, till the window's ledge he gained. 
His bending form its weight sustained. 
Then a fierce look he cast around. 
His mantle tore, and on the ground 
The symbols of the Master's state 
He threw, and trampled 'neath his feet ; 
With smile of horrible disdain — 



cc 



These are the sins my life that stain. 



THE ADIEU. 149 

" Ready I am to die, — what more 
Would you now seek ? — ^perchance to explore 
How well my office I have filled : 
That secret may be soon revealed. 
Look where those perished thousands lie, — 
Where towns in ruins greet thine eye, — 
Where flames o'er all the land ascend ! 
Hear you the howling wintry wind ? 
There, 'neath the snows that o'er them sweep. 
Your band's last starved remnant sleep. 
Hark I o'er the firagments of their meal, contend 
The famished dogs, and horrid bowlings send. 

"TTis mine the deed, — how proud how great. 
This hand has dealt the blow of fate ! 
With one wide severing stroke alone. 
The Hydra's many heads swept down ; 
As Samson mighty vengeance took. 
Once nerved his arm, the column shook. 
Brought down the roof and sank beneatlu" 

He spoke, — into the window cast 
One look, — then senseless feU, — ^yet passed 



150 THE ADIEU. 

In time, a movement^ to throw down 
The lamp, from where its light had shone ; 
Three times it circled round, then stayed 
At last, where Konrad's head was laid ; 
The floating match still burnt within, 
But faint and fainter now was seen ; 
Then, as tho' sign it gave of death, 
A last bright flame shot from beneath ; 
Its transient glare just beamed to shew 
Airs glazed eye, —then sunk the glow. 

A piercing shriek of fearful power 
That moment rent the distant tower. 
Sudden and shrill. — Ask ye whose breast 
Its pang of sufiering there expressed? 
That cry its source proclaimed too well ; 
Nor listener's ear need fear, again 
To catch that thrilling voice of pain : — 
That sound tolled out life's parting knelL 

So, the harp's chord will sudden break. 
When hand too rude its tone would wake; 



THE ADIEU. 151 

It sounds, — but to its opening song. 
Only some notes confused belong : 
We ne'er may hope the end to hear. 

So may my song no more declare « 
If of Aldona's fate, there rest 
Yet more to tell, — 'tb mid the blest^ 
For angels their celestial strains to bring, 
Or listener's feeling soul unto himself to sing. 



NOTES. 



NOTES, 



^0^^0^r*^»^^^^t**^^^ ^ 



Paob 9. 

" From Marienhur^s high tower . . . •" 

Marienbnrg, a fortified city, formerly the capital of the 
Teutonic Knights, in the time of Kaadmir Jagiellon, was united 
to the repubUc of Poland ; afterwards it was given in pledge 
to the Margraves of Brandenburg, and later came into the 
power of the kings of Prussia. In the vaults of the castle 
were the tombs of the Gh»nd-Masters, some of which are 
preserved to this day. Voigt^ professor at Koningsburg, pub- 
lished, some years since, a history of Marienburg ; an impor- 
tant work for the histories of Prussia and Lithuania. 



Paob 9. 

^^ The Cross .... and Steord, 

The infflgnia of the Chrand-Master's office. 
3 



156 NOTB8. 



Page 17. 



*^Cfreat taluman of the immof^tal mind 
That thtis irratiarud brtUe force can bind," 

The countenance of man, if it glow with the expression of 
power and inteUigence, is said to produce a wonderful effect 
even upon wild animals. In illustration of this, we extract 
the following paragraph from ^^ Capt. Head's Journey across 
the Pampas." 

^^I will venture to relate a circumstance which a man 
sincerely assured me had happened to him in South America. 

'^He was trying to shoot some wild ducks, and, in order to 
approach them unperceived, he put the comer of his poncho 
(which is a sort of long narrow blanket) over his head, and 
crawling along the ground upon hb hands and knees, the 
poncho not only covering his body, but trailing along the 
ground behind him. As he was thus creeping by a large bush 
of reeds, he heard a loud noise, and felt something heavy 
strike his feet, and, instantly jumping up, he saw, to his asto- 
nishment, a large lion actually standing on his poncho ; and 
perhaps the animal was equally astonished to find himself in 
the immediate presence of so athletic a man ! 

*^ The man told me he was unwilling to fire, as his gun was 
loaded with very small shot, and he, therefore, remained 
motionless, the lion standing on his poncho for many seconds ; 
at last the creature turned his head, and, walking very slowly 
away about ten yards, he stopped and turned again. The 
man stiU maintained his ground, upon which the lion tacitly 
acknowledged his supremacy, and walked off." 



NOTES, 157 

Page 20, 
" The Prior Chief" (or the Great Prior). 
The officer next in authority to the Grand-Master. 

Page 22. 

" A pious maid unknown,** 

The chronicles of those times contain notice of a peasant 
maiden, who arrived at Marienburg, and desired to be shut up 
in a solitary cell, where she ended her days. Her grave was 
celebrated for miracles. 

Page 26. 

" That voice prophetic shall decide 
The chapter^ s choice " 

At the time of the Election, if the opinions were divided 
or uncertain, some similar circumstance, taken as an augury, 
would influence the decision of the chapter. Thus Vinrych 
Kniprode gained all the voices in his favour, because some of 
the brothers heard, as if from the tombs of the Grand-Masters, 
a cry three times repeated : Vinrice ! Ordo laborat^ — Vinrych, 
the Order is in danger. 



Page 34. 

" Sventorog Castled 



The castle of Vilna, in which was formerly kept up the 
sacred fire. 



158 NOTES. 

Page 52. 

*^ R^oiee ye in the Lord." 
The signal, at the feasts of the Order, m those times. 

Page 62. 

" The 8(mgofthe Vajdelote.** 

See the poems of Mickieyricz, vol. i., where is described a 
similar event at the installation, as Grand-Master, of Dusener 
Yon Arfberg. 

Page 62. 
" The Maiden of the Plagv^ stands forth to sight" 

The common people in Lithuania represent the blast of 
pestilence, under the form of a maiden, whose appearance, 
described here, according to popular tradition, precedes any 
dreadful disease. I will quote, in substance at least — a ballad, 
known, in former times in Lithuania. 

*^ The maiden of the plague appeared in the village, and, as 
usual, sliding her hand in at the door or window, and waving 
a bloody handkerchief, spread death throughout the dwelling. 
The inhabitants shut themselves up closely ; but hunger and 
other necessities, shortly obliged them to neglect such means 
of precaution; all then expected death. 

*^ A certain man of the lesser nobility, although sufficiently 
provided with provisions, and able much longer to have main- 
tained himself besieged in that frightful manner, resolved, never- 
theless, to sacrifice himself for the good of his neighbours ; he 
took a Sigismundean sabre, on which was inscribed the name 



NOTES. 159 

of Jevm and the Virgin Mary^ and, thus anned, he opened his 
window. 

^* This man, with one blow, struck off the hand of the Phan- 
tom, and got possession of the handkerchief. He died,-^indeed 
his whole family died ; but from that time the blast of the 
pestilence has never again been known in the Tillage." That 
handkerchief was said to be still preserved in the church of 
some small town, the name of which I do not remember. 
In the East, before the appearance of the plague, a phantom 
is said to show itself with the wings of a bat, and with its 
fingers pointing to those fated to die. It would appear that 
the popular imagination, in similar figureer, seeks to represent 
the secret presentiment, and strange terror which is observed 
to precede any great calamity or death, and in which not only 
particular persons, but often whole nations have participated. 
Thus, in Greece, was foreboded the long continuance and 
dreadful effects of the Peloponnesian war; in the Roman 
Empire, the fall of the monarchy ; in America, the arrival of 
the Spaniards. 



Page 73. 
" Walter y my name. 



»f 



Walter von Stadion, a German knight, carried into slavery 
by the Lithuanians, espoused the daughter of Kiejstut, and 
with her departed secretly from Lithuania. 

It often happened, that Prussian and Lithuanian children, 
taken away, and educated in Germany, returned to their 
country, and became the most deadly enemies of the Germans. 
Such, as recorded in the annals of the Order, was the Prus- 
sian, Herkus Monte. 



160 NOTES. 



Page 115. 
" War ....'• 
The pictuie of this war is drawn from history. 



Paob 124. 
" The secret THhwuai:' 

In the middle ages, when powerful Dukes and Barons com^ 
mitted innumerable crimes ; when the power of the ordinary 
tribunals was too weak to repress them, there assembled ik 
secret society, the members of which, unknown to eahc 
other, obliged themselves by an oath to punish the guilty^ 
not suffering to escape even their own friends or kindred*. 
As soon as the secret Judges had pronounced the sentence of 
death, they acquainted the guilty person of it, by calling 
under his window, or somewhere else in his presence, the 
word, Weh! (^Woe!) That word three times repeated was 
a warning ; whoever heard it prepared himself for death, which 
would infallibly come, and at an unexpected moment, from 
some unknown hand. The secret tribunal is still called 
( Vemgerichi) or Westphalian. 

It is difficult to guess when it first originated ; according to 
some it was established by Charlemagne. 

Useful at first, it afterwards gave occasion to many abuses, 
and the governments were obliged to act severely towards the 
judges themselves, until, at last, the institution was entirely 
abolished. 



NOTES. 161 

We have called our tale historical, because the characters 
of the persons acting therein, and all the most important 
events mentioned in the narration, are drawn from history. 
The Chronicles of those times, in broken and scattered 
writings, must frequently be supplied by conjectures, in order 
from them to make up an entire history. 

Although, in the deeds of Yallenrod, we have permitted 
ourselves these conjectures, we still hope to justify their con- 
formity with truths According to the Chronicles, Konrad 
Yallenrod was not descended from the noble German race of 
Yallenrod, although he gave himself out as a member of it. 
He is said to be rather the son of some illegitimate union. The 
Chronicle of Koningsburg, (in the Yallenrod Library) declares, 
^' Er war ein Pfaffenkind" (he was the child of a priest). 

Of the character of this extraordinary man we read differ- 
ent and contradictory accounts* 

The greater part of the writers accuse him of pride, 
cruelty, and drunkenness, severity towards his dependents-— 
very little zeal for the faith, and even an aversion from spirit- 
ual affairs. Er war ein rechter Leuteschinder, — hs was a per^ 
fict executioner of mankind, (Chronicle of the Wallenrod 
Library) — Nach E^g,Zank und Hader hat sein Hertzimmer 
gestanden, und ob er gleich ein Gott-ergebener Mensch von 
Wegen seines Ordens seyn sollte, doch ist er alien fromnien 
Geistlichen 3iensclien Grauel gewesen. Hi» heart teas always 
bent upon war, strife and quarrels, and although by virtus of 
his order he should have been a person devoted to Gody yet he 
became a horror and detestation to all pious persons. (David 
Lucas) Er regierte nicht lai^, denn Gott plagte ilm inwendig 
mit dem laufenden Feuer. He did not reign long, for God tor- 
fnented him inwardly with a consuming Jire4 

On the other hand, there are writers of that time, who 

M 



162 



NOTES. 



ascribe to him, magnanimity, courage, dignity, and strength 
of character ; and indeed, without some rare qualities, he could 
not have maintained his power, amidst the disorder and the 
defeats which he brought upon the Order. Let us now re- 
view the career of Yallenrod. When he took the command 
of the Order, the time appeared opportune for making war 
upon Lithuania, for Yitold had promised himself to lead the 
Germans to Vilna, and supply them liberally with succours. 
Yallenrod, nevertheless, procrastinated the war, and what is 
worse, he sent away Yitold, and so inconsiderately confided in 
him, that, that prince, having secretly reconciled himself with 
Jagiellon, not only departed from Prussia, but, on the road, 
entering the German castles as a friend, burned them, and put 
the garrisons to the sword. 

In such an unlooked-for change of circumstances it was 
proper either to abandon the war, or to enter upon it in a very 
cautious manner. 

The Grand Master proclaimed a crusade, spent the treasures 
of the Order (5,000,000 marks, — about one million Hungarian 
florins, an enormous sum at that time) in preparations for his 
passage into Lithuania. He might have seized upon Yilna, 
had he not wasted the time in feasting and waiting for suc- 
cours. 

The autumn came on : Yallenrod having kept the army in 
a state of inactivity, retreated in the greatest disorder back to 
Prussia. The Chroniclers, and later historians are unable to 
guess the reason for such a sudden return, not finding in the 
circumstances of the times any sufficient cause for it. Some 
ascribe the flight of Yallenrod to a disordered intellect. 

All that we have mentioned of contradictory in the charac^ 
ter and career of our hero, is at once explained, if we admit 
that he was a Lithuanian, and that he entered the Order only 



NOTES. 163 

io take revenge upon it. In fact his goyernment was a most 
fatal blow to the power of the Teutons. We assume that 
Yallenrod was that same Walter Stadion, abridging only by 
a few years the time elapsed, between the departure of 
Walter from Lithuania, and the appearance of Konrad in 
Marienburg. 

Walter died in 1394. Hb death was sudden : strange 
events are said to have accompanied his decease. Er starb — 
says the Chronicle^in Raserey, ohne letzte Oehlung, ohne 
Priestersegen. Kurtz vor seinem Tode wiitheten Stiirme Ee- 
gengiisse, Wasserfluthen ; die Weichsel und die Nogat durch- 

brachen ihre Damme hingegen wuhlten die Gbwasser 

sich eine neue Tiefe, da, wo jetzt Pillau steht. He died in- 
sane^ tdthoiU extreme unction^ without a priests blessing, A 
short time before his death there raged storm/s^ torrents of rain 
and invmdations. The Vistula and the Nogat broke their 

banks onth>6 other hand the waters formed for them-- 

selves a new channel at the place where Pillau stands. Hal- 
ban or, as the recording Doctor calls him, Leander von Alba- 
nus, a monk, was the only, and inseparable companion of 
Yallenrod. 

Although he professed piety, he was, according to the 
Chronicler, a heretic, a pagan, and probably a magician. There 
are no certain accounts of Halban's death. Some write that 
he drowned himself, others that he departed in a mysterious 
manner, or that he was carried off by the devil. We have 
quoted the Chronicle, for the most part from a work of Kotze- 
bue. Preussens Oeschichte, Belege und Erlauterungen. The 
history of Prussia^ notes and illustrations. Hartnock, who 
calls Yallenrod a madman, gives but a very short notice of 
him. 



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OUTLINES OF NAVAL ROUTINE; 

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SOCIAL EVILS AND THEIR REMEDY : 

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The following are the Contents of the different Numbers, 

II. THE LADY AND THE LADY'S MAID. 

III. THE PASTOR OF DRONFELLS. 

IV. THE LABOURER AND HIS WIFE. 

V. THE COUNTRY TOWN. 



VI. LIVE AND LET LIVE} OR, THE 
MANCHESTER WEAVERS. 

VII. THE SOLDIER. 

VIII. THE LEASIDE FARM. 



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OB 



THE LIBRARY OP ROMANCE: 

A HIGHLY INTERESTING SERIES OF FIFTEEN VOLUMES, 

COMPRISING 

XOXNAIi TAXiESy NOVELS^ AND ROBSANC 

BY THB MOST DISTINGUISHED WRITERS OF THE DAY. 

Price only Six ShUUngs per Volume ; 

BACH YOLUMB COMPLBTB IN ITSELF, 
AMD BQUAL IN EXTBNT TO THREE VOLUMES OP THE MODERN NOVELS. 



BB, 



Fifteen volumes of this work— -allowed to be the boldest literary speculation to which the enter- 
prise of the age has given birth— are now published ; the reception they have met with— the 
praises lavished upon the work— and upon the romances individually, dv the British press- 
nave been warm and universal. Each volume has been reprinted in America; they have 
almost all been translated into German, many into French ; and some have been reprinted in 
Paris, in the original lang^uage, for the accommodation of the English abroad. The names of 
Vanin, Frasbr, Galt, the late Andrew Picken, Victor Hugo, the Author of " Tales of a 
Physician," the Author of " Wild Sports of the West," Leitch Ritchie, &c., grace the list 
of Authors, and prove that the word of promise has been kept to the fullest extent. 



The following is a Catalogue of the Series, 



I. THE GHOST HUNTER AND HIS 
FAMILY. A Tale from the powerful pen of 
BanIm. Exhibiting a Picture of Irish Man- 
ners; supposed to oe the most striking, as 
well as the most beautiful of the works of 
this well-known master. 

II. SCHINDERHANNES, THE ROBBER 
OF THE RHINE. A Romantic Sketch, 
drawn up from Historical and Legal Docu- 
ments of the celebrated Banditti System of 
Germany. By the Editor, Leitch Ritchie. 

III. WALTHAM. A Domestic Narrative. By 
the late Andrew Picken. Anatomizing 
some of the most strange and mystic Sym- 
pathies of our Nature, in illustration of the 
Doctrine of Fatalism. 

IV. THE STOLEN CHILD : A TALE OF 
THE TOWN. Detailing, in the minute and 
original manner of its Author, Galt, one of 
the most remarkable histories of evidence 
ever i)enned — in reference, it is understood, 
to a very important event in an illustrious 
fkmily. 

V. THE BONDMAN. An Historical Narra- 
tive of the Times of Wat Tyler. The pro- 
duction of Mrs. O'Neill. The work is mled 
with historical and legal knowledge, and pre- 
sents a romantic picture, not less accurate 
thim extraordinary, of one of the most 
singular epochs of our history. 

VI. THE SLAVE KING. A skilful and ele- 
gant adaptation of the Bug Jargal of 
Victor Hugo. Containing a romantic and 
historical description of the Rebellion of the 
Blacks of Saint Domingo. By Elizabeth 
Margaret Ritchie. lUustratedwithNotes, 
contributed by a recent Traveller. 

VII. THE KHAN'S TALE. A TALE OF 
THE CARAVANSERAI. ByJAS.BAiLLis 
Fraser. Exhibiting a picture of Persian 
manners of the same kind as that which at 
once startled and delighted the public in his 
" Kuzzilbash." 

VIII. WALDEMAR t or, The Sack op 
Magdeburg. A Tale of the Thirty 



Years' War. In which the skilful Author 
of "Tales of a Physician'* has chosen for 
the exercise of his vivid pencil the most 
romantic period in Modem History. 

IX. THE DARK LADY OF DOONA. By the 
Author of " Wild Sports of the West." An 
Irish Romance of tne time of Elizabeth, so 
singular and so powerful, that the Atherueum 
fairly confesses that " criticism would be as 
idle as reading the riot-act at Donybrook 
fair— not a soul would pay it the least atten- 
tion." 

X. THE BARONET; or. L'Amant Mal- 
grelin. a picture of living Manners in 
the present Fashionable World. By Miss 

XL* THE SEA-WOLF. A Romance of "The 
Free Traders." A Naval Narrative, of wild 
and exciting interest, founded on facts, and 
presenting many points of relation with the 
celebrated fictions of Cooper. 

XII. THE JESUIT. A powerful and striking 
illustration of the principles and practices of 
that cdebrated Society, from which it takes 
its name— including transactions springing 
out of the disastrous attempt of the Pre- 
tender on the Throne of Great Britain. 

XIII. THE SIEGE OF VIENNA, an Histo- 
rical Narrative. By Madame Pichler. 
Containing an account of the most splendid 
and picturesque Events of Uie Seventeenth 
Century, in which the Poles under Sobieski 
took so prominent a part. 

XIV. THE ENTHUSIAST; or. Traits and 
Characteristics OP theGbrmanCourt. 
An adaptation of one of the Romances of 
Spindler. An admirably wrought and 
striking Narrative, full of nuth, grace, and 
affection, and in every way worthy of its high 
reputation, reminding us, in its Mnouefnent, 
of the Vicar of Wakefield. 

XV. ERNESTO ; or. The History of a 
Mind. A Philosophical Romance. By 
Wm. Smith, Esq. Author of " Gnidone." 



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A aRAMMAR OF THE ANGLO-SAXON TONGUE, 

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By ERASMUS RASK, of tbeUniyenity of Copenhagen. 
Translated by Benjamin Thorpe, F.S.A. 

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STORY OF APPOLONIUS OF TYRE, 

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THE HISTORY OF THE CELTIC LANGUAGE : 

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PUBUSHBO BY 8BSITH, BLDBR, 4k OO. 13 

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SI28orlts; on emtgratiotti ^u 

— ^m — 

RECENT DISCOVERIES IN AUSTRALIA. 

A NARRATTVE OF 

TWO EXPEDITIONS- INTO THE INTERIOR OF AUSTRALIA, 

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14 



VOYAOB8, THAVEIiS, * WOBK8 ON BBSXORATZON^ 



THE RESOURCES OF AUSTRALIA. 

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South Wales impartially examined ; with valuable Information for Emigrants, 

and Hints for the Improvement of the Colonies. 

By an AUSTRALIAN COLONIST. 

Post 8to. price 28. 6d. 



»^*^^^^^^^^w»^^^v*^*^ 



RECONNOITERING VOYAGES AND TRAVELS, 

WITH ADVENTURES, 

IN THB 

NEW COLONIES OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA : 

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and St. Helena, during the Years 1836, 1837, and 1838. 

By W. H. LEIGH, Esq. 
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** There are homely truths told by Mr. Leigh which intending emigrants should peruse, and 
on which they should ponder."— Colonial Magazine. 



^i^M^rfMlN^^^^^^^^S^^^ 



AN HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF 

NEW SOUTH WALES; 

BOTH AS A PENAL SETTLEMENT AND AS A BRITISH COLONY. 

By JOHN DUNMORE LANG, D.D. 
Senior Minister to the Scots Church, and Principal of the Australian College, Sydney. 

Second Edition, bringing down the History of the Colony to 1837, 
2 vols, small 8vo. with Map, price 318. bds. 



THE FRIEND OF AUSTRALIA: 

containing 

OBSERVATIONS ON THE IMMENSE BENEFITS OF EMIGRATION, 

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By an OFFICER IN THE HON. E. I. COMPANY'S SERVICE. 

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15 



THE PRESENT STATE OF AUSTRALIA : 

A DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY; 

Its Advantages and Prospects with reference to Emigration ; 

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By ROBERT DAWSON, Esq. 
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emigration."— New Monthly Magazine. 

TOWN OF ADELAIDE, IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 
A VIEW of the COUNTRY and of the TEMPORARY ERECTIONS near the Site of the 

TOWN OF ADELAIDE, 

In South Australia ; 
Forming the First of a Series of Views of that Colony. 

By Colonel WILLIAM LIGHT, Surveyor-General of the Province of South Australia. 

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JOURNAL OF A 

RECENT VISIT TO THE VINEYARDS OF SPAIN AND 

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ALSO, 

DIRECTIONS FOR THE SUCCESSFUL CULTURE OF THE OLIVE ; 

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With an Estimate of their Profits as articles of Merchandise. 

Forming a Guide to the Australian Farmer, &c. &c« 

By JAMES BUSBY, Esq. of New South Wales. 

Third Edition, post 8vo. price 4s. 



USEFUL HINTS RELATING TO EMIGRANTS AND 

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By the Rev. HENRY CARMICHAEL, A.M. Resident in Sydney. 

With an Appendix, besides numerous corrections and additions to the original text; embodying, 
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16 VOYAOBS, TBAVBIiS, * WORKS O^ BMIORATION, 



PLAIN TRUTHS TOLD BY A TRAYELLER, 

BBOARDINO OUB VABI0U8 

SETTLEMENTS IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND; 

Shewing things as they really are and as they ought to be, 

F^icularly in Sydneyi Perth, Pftramatta, Freemantle, the Swan River, the Canning^, the Murray, 
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By J. PITTS JOHNSON, Esq. 

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"1 ^ '^!~] "^ 1 ^0. 1 ^ n_r i , ri r\ ~i i "^ 



HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF YAN DIEMEN'S LAND; 

To which are added, 

A FEW WORDS ON PRISON DISCIPLINE. 

Price 58. 

THE CONDITION AND CAPABILITIES OF 
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AS A PLACE OF EMIGRATION; 

Being the Practical Experience of nearly Ten Years' Residence in that Colony. 

By JOHN DIXON. 
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m^n^i^»0m0^m0»0^0*0^m0^m 



THE JOURNAL OF A YOYAGE FROM CALCUTTA, 

Through the Straits of Sunda to Van Diemen's Land ; 

Comprising a Description of that Colony during a Six Months' Residence. 

From Original Letters, selected by Mrs. A. PRINSEP. 

Illustrated by a Map. 

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A COMPLETE ACCOUNT OF YAN DIEMEN'S LAND ; 

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Price 4s. boards. 

Compiled from the Van Dikmbn's Land Almanack. 



PUBLISHED BY SMITH, ELDER, 8b CO. 



17 



NEW ZEALAND IN 1839; 

Or, Four Letters to the Right Hon. Earl Durham, Governor of the New Zealand Land Company, 

&c. &c. on the Colonization of that Island, and on the present Condition and Prospects of its 

Native Inhabitants. 

By JOHN DUNMORE LANG, D.D. 

Principal of the Australian College, and Senior Minister of the Church of Scotland in New 

South Wales. 

In demy 8vo. price 3s. 6d. sewed. 

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OBSERVATIONS ON 

THE CLIMATE OF NEW ZEALAND, 

With reference to its Sanative Character, and its Effects on the English Constitution ; 

With Practical Observations on its Productions and its Commercial Capabilities as a Residence 

for British Emigrants. 

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THE PRESENT STATE, RESOURCES, AND PROSPECTS 

OF NEW ZEALAND. 



By EDWARD CAMPBELL. 
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NEW ZEALAND AND ITS NATIVE POPULATION. 

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A STATEMENT OF THE SATISFACTORY RESULTS WHICH HAVE ATTENDED 

EMIGRATION TO UPPER CANADA, 

From the Establishment of the Canada Company until the present period ; 

Comprising Statistical Tables, and other important Information, communicated by respectable 

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THE EMIGRANT AND TRAVELLER'S GUIDE TO AND 

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By JOHN MURRAY. 

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c 



18 VOYAOES, TRAVEIiS, * WORKS ON BMIOSATION, 



CHINA OPENED; 

OTiaDisplay of the Topography, History, Customs, Manners, Arts, Manufactures, Commerce, 
Literature, Religion, Jurisprudence, &c. of the Chinese Empire. 

By the Rev. CHARLES GUTZLAFF. Revised by the Rev. ANDREW REED, D.D. 
In 2 volumes, post 8vo. with a New Map of the Chinese Empire, price j^l. 4s. cloth boards. 

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on the subject." — ^Atlas. 

''This is by far the most interesting, complete, and valuable account of the Chinese Empire 
that has yet been published.'*— Sun. 



^^%^.^^»^<i^^^^^^>^^— 



A HISTORY OF UPPER AND LOWER CALIFORNIA, 

From their first Discovery to the Present Time : oomprisii^ an Account of the Climate, Soil, 
Natural Productions, Agriculture, Commerce, &c. ; a fuU View of the Missionary Establishments, 
and condition of the Free and Domesticated Indians. By ALEXANDER FORBES, Esq. 

With an Appendix relating to Steam Navigation in the Pacific. In 1 volume, demy 8vo. with a 
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appearance of this volume, has been nearly a blank."— Sunday Times. 



THE RHINE, &c. 

TRAVELS OF MINNA AND GODFREY IN MANY LANDS. 

From the Journals of the Author. 

THE RHINE, NASSAU, AND BADEN. 
With numerous Engravings, by Cook, &c. Price 7b. cloth boards. 

Recently published, uniform with the above, 

TRAVELS THROUGH HOLLAND. 

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Athbnjbum. 



MRS. POSTANS' CUTCH; 

OR, 

RANDOM SKETCHES, 

Taken during a residence in one of the Northern Provinces of Western India; 

interspersed with Legends and Traditions. 

By Mrs. POSTANS. 

In 1 vol. 8vo. with numerous coloured Engravings and Woodcuts, price 14s. cloth boards. 

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with Cutch, and rank in society, have enabled her to produce one of the most interesting^ and 
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" A more instructive or entertaining volume than this it has not been our fbrtune to meet irith 
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19 



MADEIRA, LISBON, &c. 

THE INVALID'S GUIDE TO MADEIRA; 

With a Description of Teueriffe, Lisbon, Ciutra, and Mafra, and a Vocabulary of the 

Portugfuese and English Languag^es. 

By WILUAM WHITE COOPER, M.R.C.S., Surgreon to the Hon. ArtiUery Company. 

In 1 vol. fcp. 8vo. price 4s. 



JOURNAL OF AN 

EXPEDITION FROM SINGAPORE TO JAPAN; 

With a Visit to Loo-Choo ; descriptive of these Islands and their Inhabitants : in an attempt, with 
the aid of Natives educated in Inland, to create an opening for Missionary Labours in Japan. 

By P. PARKER, M.D. Medical Missionary lh>m the American Missionary Board. 

Revised by the Rev. Andrew Reed, D.D. 
In 1 vol. fcp. 8vo. price 2s. 6d. neatly bound in cloth. 



Wbtolass, Set* 

— «» — 

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Miscellaneous Sermons preached in the Parish Church of Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, 

By the Rev. Sir WILUAM DUNBAR, Baxt. S.C.L. 
Late Curate of the above Parish. 

'* Written in an easy, flowing, style ; and have an air of affectionate sincerity, which irresistibly 
wins attention."— Athbnjbum. 

" The writer shows us what are the credentials of a Christian Ministry, by such zealous and 
single-minded efforts as these, to save souls fh)m death, far more convmcingly than he would 
have done bv the most elaborate efforts to demonstrate an apostolical succession. The sermons 
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^^^t^t^*0m0a0^^^0^0m0^0^0^0^ 



THE FAMILY SANCTUARY: 

A FORM OF DOMESTIC DEVOTION FOR EVERY SABBATH IN THE YEAR; 

CONTAINING 

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY ; A PORTION OF SCRIPTURE ; 

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In 1 thick volume, demy 8vo. price 16s. cloth extra. 

** A very pious production, and well calculated for reading in religious fiunilies."— Lit. Gaz. 



^*^^^*0^0*^^0^0^f^0^0^f^0^^ 



SCRIPTURAL STUDIES : 

COMPRISING 

THE CREATION-THE CHRISTIAN SCHEMB-THE INNER SENSE. 

By the Rev. WILUAM HILL TUCKER, M.A. FeUow of King's CoUege, Cambridge. 

In 1 thick vol. demy 8vo. price 10s. 6d. neatly bound in cloth. 

** This is not a work for ordinary readers. The author thinks for himself ; and so writes that 
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a revelation from God, he pays uniform and entire deference— and the thoughtful and prayerful 
find that he has not the thinkings of a common-place mind oefore him." 

Mbthodist Magazine. 



reader will soon 



20 



THSOZaOGZCAIi "WOUKB, 



THE RECTORY OF VALEHEAD. 

By the Rev. R. W. EVANS, M.A. 

11th Edition, enlarged, with an illustrative Plate, price 6s. neatly bound in cloth ; 

or 98. elegantly bound in morocco. 



(( 



Universally and cordially do we recommend this delightful volume. Impressed with the 
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household, influencing to excellence all within its sphere. We believe no person could read this work 
and not be the better for its pious and touching lessons. It is a pa^e taken from the book of 
life, and eloquent with all the instruction of an excellent pattern : it is a commentary on the 
affectionate warning, * Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth.' We have not for some 
time seen a work we could so deservedly praise, or so conscientiously recommend." — Lit. Gaz. 

A SERIES OF SERMONS 

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In 1 volume, demy 8vo. price 8s. bound. 

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THE BIBLE, 15 vols 8 

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Author of " May you Like it," &c. &c. 

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RECORDS OF A GOOD MAN^S LIFE. 

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** We most earnestly recommend this work to the perusal of all those who desire instruction 
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highei 



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A VOLUME OF SERMONS. 

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if 



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v^f'^v^'^'^^'^^l^^^^M'^^ 



THE LIFE AND TRAVELS OF THE APOSTLE PAUL; 

Combining, with his eventful History, a Description of the past and present State of the various 
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2d Edition, in fcp. 8vo. price 68. cloth extra; or 9s. elegantly bound in morocco. 

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22 TflBOIiOGZGAZa WORKS, 



PLAIN TRACTS FOR CRITICAL TIMES. 

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By A UNION OF CLERGYMEN. 

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By EDWARD OSLER, 
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_n r irf'ii'^i — — ^-— — — - , ^ 



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THE ENGLISH MASTER; 

OR, STUDENT'S GUIDE TO REASONING AND COMPOSITION : 

Exhibiting an Analytical View of the Eng^lish Lanfirua^e, of the Human Mind, and of the 

Principles of fine Writing. 

By WILLIAM BANKS, Private Teacher of Composition, Intellectual Philosophy, &c. 

Second Edition, post 8vo. price 10s. 6d. boards. 

*<We have examined with care and pleasure this valuable treatise of Mr. Banks, and 
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A NEW 

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By J. S. MOORE, Master of the Brewers' Company School. 

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AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF SHORT-HAND, 

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By THOMAS OXLEY, Teacher. In demy 4to. price 6s. bds. 



preparing for ^ubluatiom 

— csje^ 

OBSERVATIONS IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE, 

MADE DURING A RECENT RESIDENCE AT THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 

By SIR JOHN HERSCHEL, Bart. F.R.S. &c. 

To be illustrated by numerous Plates. 



WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF HER MAJESTY'S 

TREASURY. 

GEOLOaiCAL OBSERVATIONS 

MADE DURING 

THE VOYAGE OF HER MAJESTY'S SHIP BEAGLE, 

Under the Command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N. 

Part 1. 
ON CORAL FORMATIONS. 

Part 2. 

ON THE VOLCANIC ISLANDS OF THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC OCEANS, 
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Part 3. 
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By CHARLES DARWIN, M.A., F.R.S., Sec. G.S., 8ic. 
In 3 vols. 8yo. with numerous Maps and Sections. 



THE JOURNAL OF AN EXPEDITION INTO 

THE INTERIOR OF SOUTHERN AFRICA, 

Fitted out in 1836, by the " Cape of Good Hope Association for Ejcploring Central AiHca." Com- 
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the Manners and Customs of the Native Tribes ; and of the Natural Productions, Aspect, and 
Physical Capabilities of the Country. 

By ANDREW SMITH, M.D. 
Surgeon to the Forces, and Director of the Expedition. 

To be illustrated by a Map, and numerous Plates of African Scenery ; and of the Dresses, Weapons, 

Dances, Religious Ceremonies, &c. of the Natives. 



Wilson and Ogilrjr, Skinner Street, Snowhill, London. 



/ 



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